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2026 Best Value Value Schools in South Carolina

[Value](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Value Schools in South Carolina

2026 Best Value Value Schools in South Carolina

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Value Schools

1

College Of Charleston
Charleston, SC

$12,978 In-State Tuition & Fees

$24,733 Avg Student Debt

$56,416 Median Earnings (10yr)

College Of Charleston earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in South Carolina. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $38,296. Value graduates carry a median of $24,733 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from College Of Charleston generally make around $51,115. Set against $24,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of Charleston admits about 60% of applicants.

2

Clemson University
Clemson, SC

$15,554 In-State Tuition & Fees

$23,783 Avg Student Debt

$71,513 Median Earnings (10yr)

A rank of #2 makes Clemson University one of the best values for value. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Value graduates carry a median of $23,783 in student loans. Value graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $65,949 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,783 median debt. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 9 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

• The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
• Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.