2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in South Carolina

1

Trident Technical College
Charleston, SC

Trident Technical College tops our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools in South Carolina. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,376. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $50,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

York Technical College
Rock Hill, SC

York Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,036, while out-of-state students pay about $13,340. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,090 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,586. That is a strong return on a $8,090 median debt.

3

Midlands Technical College
West Columbia, SC

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Midlands Technical College earned it the #3 place for liberal arts general studies. Set in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $14,700. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,550 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,688. That is a strong return on a $14,550 median debt.

4

Horry Georgetown Technical College
Conway, SC

Horry Georgetown Technical College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,518, with out-of-state students paying around $10,978. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $16,500. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Tri County Technical College
Pendleton, SC

Tri County Technical College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Pendleton, Tri County Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,448, while out-of-state students pay about $12,007. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,750. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Tri County Technical College earn a median of $22,578 early in their careers. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Florence Darlington Technical College
Florence, SC

Florence Darlington Technical College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Florence, Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,636, while out-of-state students pay about $6,772. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $7,230. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $34,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Central Carolina Technical College
Sumter, SC

Central Carolina Technical College came in at #7 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Sumter, Central Carolina Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,715, compared with $9,016 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,835. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Central Carolina Technical College generally make around $26,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Greenville Technical College
Greenville, SC

Greenville Technical College earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Greenville, Greenville Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,495, compared with $10,775 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,190 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Greenville Technical College generally make around $27,684. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Spartanburg Community College
Spartanburg, SC

Spartanburg Community College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,071, with out-of-state students paying around $10,135. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $28,222. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.

10

Technical College Of The Lowcountry
Beaufort, SC

Technical College Of The Lowcountry landed the #10 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Technical College Of The Lowcountry is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Beaufort. Students from in state pay about $6,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,916. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,500. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Technical College Of The Lowcountry earn a median of $28,441 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Aiken Technical College
Graniteville, SC

Aiken Technical College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Graniteville, Aiken Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,174, with out-of-state students paying around $7,924. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $13,325 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $51,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Northeastern Technical College
Cheraw, SC

Northeastern Technical College came in at #12 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Northeastern Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Cheraw. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,664, while out-of-state students pay about $6,024. Students borrow a median of $18,933 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Northeastern Technical College generally make around $57,772. Set against $18,933 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Williamsburg Technical College
Kingstree, SC

Williamsburg Technical College placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Williamsburg Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Kingstree. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,488, with out-of-state students paying around $8,592. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $29,935.

14

Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College
Orangeburg, SC

Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College earned the #14 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Orangeburg, Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, compared with $8,354 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,407 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $61,814. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Piedmont Technical College
Greenwood, SC

Piedmont Technical College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Greenwood, Piedmont Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,775, with out-of-state students paying around $6,923. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Piedmont Technical College generally make around $25,532. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

University Of South Carolina Sumter
Sumter, SC

University Of South Carolina Sumter placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Sumter, University Of South Carolina Sumter is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,558 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,238 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $18,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of South Carolina Lancaster
Lancaster, SC

University Of South Carolina Lancaster placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the town of Lancaster, University Of South Carolina Lancaster is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,558, compared with $18,238 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,480 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Lancaster generally make around $22,995. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Carolina Lancaster admits about 83% of applicants.

18

University Of South Carolina Union
Union, SC

University Of South Carolina Union came in at #18 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Union, University Of South Carolina Union is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,558, with out-of-state students paying around $18,238. Students borrow a median of $9,250 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $18,455. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.

19

University Of South Carolina Upstate
Spartanburg, SC

University Of South Carolina Upstate landed the #19 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,588, with out-of-state students paying around $23,090. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of $36,241 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,000 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.

20

Coastal Carolina University
Conway, SC

Coastal Carolina University earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,640, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $27,250 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $27,221 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Coastal Carolina University admits about 75% of applicants.

21

University Of South Carolina Salkehatchie
Allendale, SC

University Of South Carolina Salkehatchie ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. University Of South Carolina Salkehatchie is a small public school located in the rural area of Allendale. Students from in state pay about $7,558 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,238. Students borrow a median of $11,588 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of South Carolina Salkehatchie earn a median of $19,438 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,588 median debt. University Of South Carolina Salkehatchie admits about 76% of applicants.

22

Francis Marion University
Florence, SC

Francis Marion University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Florence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,170, while out-of-state students pay about $21,544. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $41,475. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Francis Marion University generally make around $21,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Francis Marion University admits about 86% of applicants.

23

Lander University
Greenwood, SC

Lander University came in at #23 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Lander University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Greenwood. Students from in state pay about $11,700 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,300. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $27,125 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Lander University earn a median of $25,204 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lander University admits about 81% of applicants.

24

University Of South Carolina Beaufort
Bluffton, SC

University Of South Carolina Beaufort ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Bluffton, University Of South Carolina Beaufort is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,730 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,776. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $27,971 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of South Carolina Beaufort earn a median of $38,254 early in their careers. Set against $27,971 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

25

Spartanburg Methodist College
Spartanburg, SC

Spartanburg Methodist College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Methodist College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,650. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,000. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $14,509. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.