2026 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in South Carolina

1

University Of South Carolina Aiken
Aiken, SC

For return on investment in secondary education, no school beat University Of South Carolina Aiken this year. University Of South Carolina Aiken is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Aiken. In-state tuition and fees average $10,760, with out-of-state students paying around $21,218. Students borrow a median of $24,776 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Aiken generally make around $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

Students looking for strong value in secondary education will find it at University Of South Carolina Upstate, which ranked #2. 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, compared with $23,090 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,375 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of University Of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of $40,081 early in their careers. Set against $27,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.

3

Coastal Carolina University
Conway, SC

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Coastal Carolina University earned it the #3 place for secondary education. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,640, with out-of-state students paying around $29,628. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Secondary 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

Lander University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the town of Greenwood, Lander University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,700, while out-of-state students pay about $21,300. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $26,075 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Lander University earn a median of $37,548 early in their careers. Set against $26,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lander University admits about 81% of applicants.

5

Winthrop University
Rock Hill, SC

Students looking for strong value in secondary education will find it at Winthrop University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,678 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $44,482. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.

6

College Of Charleston
Charleston, SC

College Of Charleston came in at #6 for value in secondary education this year. College Of Charleston is a large public school located in the city of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,978, compared with $38,296 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $26,423. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $44,347. Set against $26,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.

7

South Carolina State University
Orangeburg, SC

South Carolina State University earned the #7 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the town of Orangeburg, South Carolina State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,750. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $31,740 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $39,914. That is a strong return on a $31,740 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.

8

Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University landed the #8 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $25,783. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $41,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.

9

University Of South Carolina Columbia
Columbia, SC

University Of South Carolina Columbia earned the #9 position for value in secondary education this year. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $12,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,298. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $26,000. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $43,172. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.

10

Anderson University Sc
Anderson, SC

Anderson University Sc came in at #10 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Sc is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,970. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Anderson University Sc generally make around $49,036. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.