2026 Best Value Education Schools in South Carolina

1

Horry Georgetown Technical College
Conway, SC

Horry Georgetown Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among education schools in South Carolina. Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Conway. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,518, while out-of-state students pay about $10,978. Typical student debt for education graduates is $19,172. Education graduates of Horry Georgetown Technical College earn a median of $37,387 early in their careers. Set against $19,172 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

University Of South Carolina Aiken
Aiken, SC

University Of South Carolina Aiken came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the suburb of Aiken, University Of South Carolina Aiken is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,760, compared with $21,218 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $24,776 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $38,667. That is a strong return on a $24,776 median debt. University Of South Carolina Aiken admits about 78% of applicants.

3

University Of South Carolina Upstate
Spartanburg, SC

A rank of #3 makes University Of South Carolina Upstate one of the best values for education. University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,588, with out-of-state students paying around $23,090. Typical student debt for education graduates is $29,937. Education graduates of University Of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of $39,948 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,937 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.

4

Coastal Carolina University
Conway, SC

A rank of #4 makes Coastal Carolina University one of the best values for education. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,640, compared with $29,628 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Coastal Carolina University generally make around $47,624. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

5

Francis Marion University
Florence, SC

Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Francis Marion University, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of Florence, Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,170, compared with $21,544 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $39,122. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

6

Lander University
Greenwood, SC

Lander University landed the #6 spot for education value this year. Lander University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Greenwood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,700, compared with $21,300 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $26,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Lander University generally make around $43,532. Set against $26,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lander University admits about 81% of applicants.

7

Winthrop University
Rock Hill, SC

Winthrop University earned the #7 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,678, with out-of-state students paying around $28,676. Students borrow a median of $26,953 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Winthrop University generally make around $45,207. Set against $26,953 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Winthrop University admits about 79% of applicants.

8

University Of South Carolina Beaufort
Bluffton, SC

University Of South Carolina Beaufort came in at #8 for value in education this year. Set in the town of Bluffton, University Of South Carolina Beaufort is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,730, while out-of-state students pay about $21,776. Education graduates carry a median of $27,750 in student loans. Education graduates of University Of South Carolina Beaufort earn a median of $44,659 early in their careers. Set against $27,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Carolina Beaufort admits about 72% of applicants.

9

Voorhees College
Denmark, SC

Voorhees College earned the #9 position for value in education this year. Voorhees College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Denmark. Students from in state pay about $12,630 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,339 ten years after entry.

10

Coker College
Hartsville, SC

Coker College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the town of Hartsville, Coker College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,416. Typical student debt for education graduates is $29,362. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Coker College generally make around $50,683. Set against $29,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

11

College Of Charleston
Charleston, SC

College Of Charleston ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,978, while out-of-state students pay about $38,296. Students borrow a median of $24,929 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $43,568. That is a strong return on a $24,929 median debt. College Of Charleston admits about 60% of applicants.

12

Southern Wesleyan University
Central, SC

Southern Wesleyan University came in at #12 for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Central, Southern Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,800. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $49,336. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

13

South Carolina State University
Orangeburg, SC

South Carolina State University landed the #13 spot for education value this year. Located in the town of Orangeburg, South Carolina State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,750. Typical student debt for education graduates is $31,841. Education graduates of South Carolina State University earn a median of $44,910 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,841 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

14

Bob Jones University
Greenville, SC

Bob Jones University placed #14 among the best values for education. Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Greenville. Students from in state pay about $22,892 in tuition and fees. Education graduates carry a median of $17,270 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $35,691. Set against $17,270 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

North Greenville University
Tigerville, SC

North Greenville University came in at #15 for value in education this year. North Greenville University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Tigerville. Students from in state pay about $25,800 in tuition and fees. Education graduates carry a median of $20,075 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $42,477. Set against $20,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.

16

Citadel Military College Of South Carolina
Charleston, SC

Citadel Military College Of South Carolina earned the #16 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Charleston, Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,570, with out-of-state students paying around $38,508. Students borrow a median of $24,305 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $63,798. That is a strong return on a $24,305 median debt. The acceptance rate is 23%.

17

Columbia International University
Columbia, SC

Columbia International University came in at #17 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Columbia, Columbia International University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,900. Students borrow a median of $21,667 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Columbia International University earn a median of $40,416 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

18

Claflin University
Orangeburg, SC

Claflin University placed #18 among the best values for education. Located in the town of Orangeburg, Claflin University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,046. Typical student debt for education graduates is $37,377. Education graduates of Claflin University earn a median of $33,026 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $37,377 median debt. Claflin University admits about 65% of applicants.

19

Charleston Southern University
Charleston, SC

Charleston Southern University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Charleston, Charleston Southern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,520. Education graduates carry a median of $27,284 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $40,597. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

20

Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University placed #20 among the best values for education. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Typical student debt for education graduates is $23,553. Early-career education graduates make about $44,929. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

21

Columbia College South Carolina
Columbia, SC

Columbia College South Carolina ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Columbia, Columbia College South Carolina is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,054. Education graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Columbia College South Carolina generally make around $43,929. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

22

University Of South Carolina Columbia
Columbia, SC

University Of South Carolina Columbia placed #22 among the best values for education. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,688, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Education graduates carry a median of $24,045 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia generally make around $44,927. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

23

Anderson University Sc
Anderson, SC

Anderson University Sc placed #23 among the best values for education. Anderson University Sc is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Anderson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,970. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Early-career education graduates make about $45,497. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

24

Furman University
Greenville, SC

Furman University came in at #24 for value in education this year. Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,770. Education graduates carry a median of $23,764 in student loans. Education graduates of Furman University earn a median of $36,520 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.