2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in South Carolina

1

University Of South Carolina Aiken
Aiken, SC

University Of South Carolina Aiken earned the #1 spot for value among elementary education schools in South Carolina. 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. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,776 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $38,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of South Carolina Upstate
Spartanburg, SC

A rank of #2 makes University Of South Carolina Upstate one of the best values for elementary 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. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,375 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $40,081. That is a strong return on a $27,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.

3

Coastal Carolina University
Conway, SC

Coastal Carolina University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Coastal Carolina University is a large public school located in the city of Conway. Students from in state pay about $11,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,628 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $43,072 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.

4

Lander University
Greenwood, SC

A rank of #4 makes Lander University one of the best values for elementary education. Located in the town of Greenwood, Lander University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,700 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,300. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,075. Elementary Education graduates of Lander University earn a median of $43,532 early in their careers. Set against $26,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.

5

Francis Marion University
Florence, SC

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Francis Marion University earned it the #5 place for elementary education. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $21,544. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $39,122. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

6

Winthrop University
Rock Hill, SC

Winthrop University earned the #6 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,678, with out-of-state students paying around $28,676. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Winthrop University generally make around $44,482. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of South Carolina Beaufort
Bluffton, SC

University Of South Carolina Beaufort earned the #7 position for value in elementary education this year. University Of South Carolina Beaufort is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bluffton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,730, compared with $21,776 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,750 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Beaufort generally make around $44,659. That is a strong return on a $27,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

8

College Of Charleston
Charleston, SC

College Of Charleston came in at #8 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,978 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,296 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,423 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $44,347. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of Charleston admits about 60% of applicants.

9

South Carolina State University
Orangeburg, SC

South Carolina State University came in at #9 for value in elementary education this year. South Carolina State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orangeburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,060, with out-of-state students paying around $21,750. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $31,740. Elementary Education graduates of South Carolina State University earn a median of $39,914 early in their careers. Set against $31,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

10

Southern Wesleyan University
Central, SC

Southern Wesleyan University landed the #10 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the suburb of Central, Southern Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $29,800. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,598. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.

11

Bob Jones University
Greenville, SC

Bob Jones University came in at #11 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Greenville, Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,892. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Bob Jones University earn a median of $34,152 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

North Greenville University
Tigerville, SC

North Greenville University came in at #12 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the rural area of Tigerville, North Greenville University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,000. Elementary Education graduates of North Greenville University earn a median of $39,562 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.

13

Charleston Southern University
Charleston, SC

Charleston Southern University landed the #13 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the city of Charleston, Charleston Southern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,520. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Elementary Education graduates of Charleston Southern University earn a median of $40,478 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

14

Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University earned the #14 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $25,783. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $41,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

15

Columbia College South Carolina
Columbia, SC

Columbia College South Carolina came in at #15 for value in elementary education this year. Columbia College South Carolina is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $20,054 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Columbia College South Carolina generally make around $39,489. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia College South Carolina admits about 94% of applicants.

16

University Of South Carolina Columbia
Columbia, SC

University Of South Carolina Columbia came in at #16 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,688, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia generally make around $43,172. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

17

Anderson University Sc
Anderson, SC

Anderson University Sc earned the #17 position for value in elementary education this year. Anderson University Sc is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Anderson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,970. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Anderson University Sc generally make around $40,385. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.

18

Furman University
Greenville, SC

Furman University placed #18 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the suburb of Greenville, Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,770. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $23,764. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Furman University generally make around $36,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.