Best Colleges in South Carolina by ROI
Trying to find the best value in South Carolina? We ranked all 35 colleges we track here on what graduates actually earn versus what families actually pay, using U.S. Department of Education data. Clemson University comes out on top at 86/100 - here's how every school compares.
We scored all 35 South Carolina colleges in our dataset from 0 to 100 on one thing: financial return. The state averages 32/100, on an average net price of $18,586 a year after grants and scholarships. The school that does best by your money is Clemson University at 86/100.
Graduates of Citadel Military College of South Carolina earn the most ten years out of any school in the state, a median $72,085. The lightest price tag belongs to Allen University at $10,972 a year. The list below ranks every South Carolina college we scored by ROI, so you can weigh what you'd pay against what you'd likely earn.
Top 10 South Carolina Colleges by ROI Score
- 1Clemson UniversityClemson, SC · PublicNet price$22,253/yrMedian earnings$71,51386ROI
- 2Citadel Military College of South CarolinaCharleston, SC · PublicNet price$20,723/yrMedian earnings$72,08585ROI
- 3Wofford CollegeSpartanburg, SC · Private NonprofitNet price$18,732/yrMedian earnings$68,96481ROI
- 4Furman UniversityGreenville, SC · Private NonprofitNet price$30,308/yrMedian earnings$68,63572ROI
- 5University of South Carolina-ColumbiaColumbia, SC · PublicNet price$22,811/yrMedian earnings$62,17772ROI
- 6Presbyterian CollegeClinton, SC · Private NonprofitNet price$20,528/yrMedian earnings$60,19460ROI
- 7College of CharlestonCharleston, SC · PublicNet price$18,960/yrMedian earnings$56,41657ROI
- 8Bob Jones UniversityGreenville, SC · Private NonprofitNet price$16,641/yrMedian earnings$44,35447ROI
- 9Erskine CollegeDue West, SC · Private NonprofitNet price$16,525/yrMedian earnings$53,45945ROI
- 10University of South Carolina-UpstateSpartanburg, SC · PublicNet price$13,557/yrMedian earnings$48,58742ROI
South Carolina College ROI: Common Questions
What is the best-value college in South Carolina?
Clemson University has the highest ROI score in South Carolina at 86/100, while the lowest net price among South Carolina schools we track is $10,972/year at Allen University. Rankings are based on net price and median graduate earnings from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
How much does college cost in South Carolina?
The average net price across the 35 South Carolina colleges in our dataset is $18,586 per year, after grants and scholarships are applied. Actual cost varies widely by family income and institution.
Which South Carolina college has the highest graduate earnings?
Citadel Military College of South Carolina reports the highest median earnings among South Carolina schools we scored, at $72,085 ten years after enrollment. Higher earnings do not always mean better ROI, since cost matters just as much.
How many colleges in South Carolina did CampusROI analyze?
We scored 35 colleges in South Carolina on return on investment. Of those, 6 earn an ROI score of 60 or higher. See our methodology for how each score is calculated.
All South Carolina Schools by ROI Score
35 schools
Clemson University
Clemson, SC
Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Charleston, SC
Wofford College
Spartanburg, SC
Furman University
Greenville, SC
University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia, SC
Presbyterian College
Clinton, SC
College of Charleston
Charleston, SC
Bob Jones University
Greenville, SC
Erskine College
Due West, SC
University of South Carolina-Upstate
Spartanburg, SC
Southern Wesleyan University
Central, SC
Coastal Carolina University
Conway, SC
University of South Carolina Beaufort
Bluffton, SC
University of South Carolina Aiken
Aiken, SC
Winthrop University
Rock Hill, SC
Francis Marion University
Florence, SC
Newberry College
Newberry, SC
North Greenville University
Tigerville, SC
Anderson University
Anderson, SC
Charleston Southern University
Charleston, SC
Lander University
Greenwood, SC
Columbia International University
Columbia, SC
Converse University
Spartanburg, SC
Limestone University
Gaffney, SC
Claflin University
Orangeburg, SC
Columbia College
Columbia, SC
Coker University
Hartsville, SC
South Carolina State University
Orangeburg, SC
Strayer University-South Carolina
Greenville, SC
Clinton College
Rock Hill, SC
Voorhees University
Denmark, SC
South University-Columbia
Columbia, SC
Benedict College
Columbia, SC
Allen University
Columbia, SC
Morris College
Sumter, SC
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release