Best colleges in South Carolina

Best colleges in South Carolina

Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions a person will make for their education, impacting everything from future earnings and employment to potential student loan debt and social circles.

While every student wants to get the best education they possibly can, there are myriad considerations to take into account: location, size, diversity, areas of focus, study abroad opportunities—the list goes on.

While best college lists are often topped with the same handful of expensive Ivy League schools, the U.S. is home to more than 4,000 degree-granting schools spread out across all 50 states and several territories, with amazing education offerings for students to consider.

Stacker compiled a list of the best four-year colleges in South Carolina using 2027 rankings from Niche. Tuition, student-to-faculty ratio, acceptance rate, and graduation rate are among the factors considered in deciding these rankings. Online schools were excluded from the rankings. You can read more about Niche's methodology here.

Keep reading to see the best schools in your state.

#10. Anderson University - South Carolina

- Location: Anderson, SC
- Niche Grade: B
- Acceptance Rate: 55%
- SAT Range: 1100-1280

#9. Claflin University

- Location: Orangeburg, SC
- Niche Grade: B
- Acceptance Rate: 65%
- SAT Range: 840-1040

#8. Bob Jones University

- Location: Greenville, SC
- Niche Grade: B
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- SAT Range: not available

#7. University of South Carolina Aiken

- Location: Aiken, SC
- Niche Grade: B+
- Acceptance Rate: 79%
- SAT Range: 980-1220

#6. University of South Carolina - Upstate

- Location: Spartanburg, SC
- Niche Grade: B+
- Acceptance Rate: 67%
- SAT Range: 1010-1180

#5. Wofford College

- Location: Spartanburg, SC
- Niche Grade: A-
- Acceptance Rate: 52%
- SAT Range: 1200-1340

#4. The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina

- Location: Charleston, SC
- Niche Grade: A-
- Acceptance Rate: 23%
- SAT Range: 1090-1290

#3. Furman University

- Location: Greenville, SC
- Niche Grade: A-
- Acceptance Rate: 43%
- SAT Range: 1260-1430

#2. University of South Carolina

- Location: Columbia, SC
- Niche Grade: A
- Acceptance Rate: 60%
- SAT Range: 1180-1360

#1. Clemson University

- Location: Clemson, SC
- Niche Grade: A
- Acceptance Rate: 38%
- SAT Range: 1240-1410