2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in South Carolina

1

University Of South Carolina Aiken
Aiken, SC

Leading the list is University Of South Carolina Aiken, our #1 best value for social sciences in South Carolina. Located in the suburb of Aiken, University Of South Carolina Aiken is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,760, while out-of-state students pay about $21,218. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Aiken generally make around $29,438. That is a strong return on a $28,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

2

University Of South Carolina Upstate
Spartanburg, SC

Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at University Of South Carolina Upstate, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,588, compared with $23,090 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $28,829 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $35,798. Set against $28,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Carolina Upstate admits about 67% of applicants.

3

Coastal Carolina University
Conway, SC

A rank of #3 makes Coastal Carolina University one of the best values for social sciences. 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. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,185 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $27,443. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Coastal Carolina University admits about 75% of applicants.

4

Lander University
Greenwood, SC

Lander University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #4 spot 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, with out-of-state students paying around $21,300. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,412 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Lander University earn a median of $31,243 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,412 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.

5

Francis Marion University
Florence, SC

Francis Marion University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Florence, Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,170, while out-of-state students pay about $21,544. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $28,756. Social Sciences graduates of Francis Marion University earn a median of $26,521 early in their careers. Set against $28,756 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

6

Allen University
Columbia, SC

Allen University earned the #6 position for value in social sciences this year. Allen University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $14,304 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $38,198. Social Sciences graduates of Allen University earn a median of $23,095 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $38,198 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

7

University Of South Carolina Beaufort
Bluffton, SC

University Of South Carolina Beaufort landed the #7 spot for social sciences value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $21,776. Students borrow a median of $37,500 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of University Of South Carolina Beaufort earn a median of $32,682 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

8

Winthrop University
Rock Hill, SC

Winthrop University landed the #8 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,678, with out-of-state students paying around $28,676. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Winthrop University generally make around $26,982. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.

9

College Of Charleston
Charleston, SC

College Of Charleston ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,978, with out-of-state students paying around $38,296. Students borrow a median of $24,390 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of College Of Charleston earn a median of $32,107 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

10

Coker College
Hartsville, SC

Coker College landed the #10 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the town of Hartsville, Coker College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,416. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $25,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

11

Presbyterian College
Clinton, SC

Presbyterian College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the town of Clinton, Presbyterian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,910. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Presbyterian College generally make around $34,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

12

Citadel Military College Of South Carolina
Charleston, SC

Citadel Military College Of South Carolina earned the #12 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Charleston, Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,570 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,508. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $20,817. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Citadel Military College Of South Carolina generally make around $44,992. That is a strong return on a $20,817 median debt. The acceptance rate is 23%.

13

Charleston Southern University
Charleston, SC

Charleston Southern University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $26,955 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $23,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

14

Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $22,646. Social Sciences graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $39,222 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of South Carolina Columbia
Columbia, SC

University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #15 spot for social sciences value this year. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $12,688, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,196 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $36,064 early in their careers. Set against $24,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

16

Wofford College
Spartanburg, SC

Wofford College earned the #16 position for value in social sciences this year. Wofford College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Spartanburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,005. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,382. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Wofford College generally make around $36,593. Set against $25,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wofford College admits about 52% of applicants.

17

Furman University
Greenville, SC

Furman University placed #17 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the suburb of Greenville, Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $59,770 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,303 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Furman University earn a median of $46,443 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.