Best Online Colleges in South Carolina

Founded as a two-year school in 1923, Columbia International University now offers undergraduate and graduate programs to over 1,200 students. The institution facilitates online education through the Canvas platform and undergraduate candidates can enroll in fully remote programs for business and human services. The former option delivers a comprehensive generalist education that prepares students to work as corporate employees, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit administrators.

CIU does not maintain GPA requirements for incoming first-year students, although transfer applicants need a minimum 2.0 GPA. The online graduate catalog contains master's programs in intercultural studies, educational administration, youth ministry leadership, and care and counseling. Students may also enroll in a 45-credit disaster relief and emergency management program, earning their credentials in two years. At the doctoral level, remote degrees cover fields like ministerial leadership and theological studies.

CIU also oversees a doctor of organizational leadership program that teaches candidates to apply research findings and implement change models to bolster their company's competitive advantage. Prospective graduate students need a minimum 3.2-3.7 GPA, depending on the program.

The University of South Carolina enrolls roughly 34,000 students in 350 comprehensive academic programs. The school delivers distance education through Blackboard, allowing undergraduate candidates with previous college experience to complete their bachelor's in as few as 12 months.

Online options include a bachelor of science in nursing track for working RNs, which incorporates the hands-on practicum experiences learners need to work as interdisciplinary nurse generalists. BSN applicants need an unencumbered RN license and a minimum 3.0 GPA. Additional bachelor's completion programs include hospitality management, criminal justice, and information management and systems.

UofSC offers over 35 online graduate programs, with options like applied statistics, education administration, information science, and public health. The university also delivers a variety of engineering credentials. Candidates can enroll in the school's master of science in nuclear engineering track to develop skills related to predictive computer modeling and safety analysis of energy systems. Doctoral candidates may pursue a remote Ph.D. in computer engineering, which allows them to pursue careers as research scientists and college educators.

Anderson University was founded as a female seminary in 1848 but now provides coeducational academic programs to almost 3,000 students each year. In addition to campus-based academics, learners can access remote learning opportunities through the Canvas platform.

The school's undergraduate catalog contains fully online bachelor's degrees in Christian studies, homeland security/emergency management, and organizational leadership. Students may also earn a human services degree, concentrating their curriculum on behavioral health or healthcare management.

At the graduate level, online coursework covers areas like physical therapy and ministry management. AU also operates a master of business administration program that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. MBA candidates can complete a 36-credit generalist degree plan or pursue one of four concentrations. Business students usually obtain their credentials in under two years. Graduate applicants usually need a 2.75 minimum GPA; depending on their program, they may also need 3-5 years of work experience.

North Greenville University first opened its doors in 1891 as a non-government high school. Today, the institution enrolls over 2,200 students in comprehensive bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs. Learners can combine traditional academics with online classes powered by Blackboard to create a hybrid learning experience. Alternatively, they may earn one of the school's five fully remote bachelor's degrees. For working professionals who want to complete their college education, NGU offers a general studies program that allows candidates to design a curriculum that aligns with their career goals.

Distance learners may also obtain baccalaureate credentials in fields like criminal justice, applied psychology, Christian ministries, and business and leadership. Furthermore, NGU delivers an elementary education program that contains coursework related to child development, curriculum utilizing technology, and classroom assessment and management. Upon completion, graduates can pursue their master's degree in teaching and state certification.

To enroll as a first-year student, applicants must submit an online form, official high school transcripts, and ACT/SAT scores. Transfer candidates need at least 12 credits earned with a 2.0 GPA or higher. NGU bases its tuition prices on enrollment status.

Based in the town of Central, Southern Wesleyan University is a private higher education institution that supports about 1,600 students annually. The school provides distance education through Canvas, delivering a fully online associate of general studies program that prepares candidates for transfer opportunities.

Distance learners can also pursue baccalaureate credentials in fields like human services, early childhood and family studies, and business administration. Licensed RNs can earn their bachelor of science in nursing in as few as 20 months through a completion pathway accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Graduate candidates can pick from five online master's programs, including classroom leadership, educational administration and supervision, and e-learning and instructional design.

Business majors can extend their academic training by enrolling in an MBA program that offers concentrations in human resources and healthcare administration. Candidates may also focus their degree plan on project management, learning how to influence team dynamics and implement quality control systems. SWU does not require MBA applicants to submit GRE/GMAT scores.

The Citadel was established in 1842 as one of six senior military colleges in the United States. The school offers over 35 academic programs and facilitates distance education through Blackboard Learn.

Undergraduate students can enroll in bachelor's degree completion tracks in criminal justice, business administration, and intelligence and security studies. The Citadel also provides a tactical strength and conditioning program that prepares candidates to develop effective training programs for law enforcement officers, firefighters, and military personnel.

At the graduate level, online options are available in areas like social science, interdisciplinary STEM education, and higher education leadership. Students may pursue a 36-credit master of international politics and military affairs that examines how national culture affects policy issues and political action. Degree candidates develop the communication and analytical thinking skills needed to foster transnational relationships in an increasingly globalized society. To enroll in a graduate program, applicants need a regionally accredited bachelor's degree and adequate GRE/GMAT scores.

Located in Rock Hill, Winthrop University enrolls over 6,000 students across its five schools and colleges. The institution provides low-cost online education powered by Blackboard. Undergraduate learners can also incorporate asynchronous classes into their campus-based programs to create a hybrid learning experience. The university offers a variety of financial aid, which includes general merit scholarships and departmental awards.

Distance learners can enroll in fully online graduate programs in social work, arts administration, and special education intervention. They can also obtain a master of business administration that is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

MBA candidates may design their own concentration or pick from designated tracks in strategic leadership, marketing, and sports marketing/revenue generation. The business program totals 36 credits, which most learners complete in under two years. MBA applicants need at least five years of work experience and a minimum GMAT score of 400.

As one of the fastest-growing higher education institutions in the state, the University of South Carolina Upstate supports about 6,000 students and delivers comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs. Blackboard powers distance education at USC Upstate, and distance learners who want to earn a bachelor's degree can choose from five entirely online programs and two hybrid tracks. Degree options include health informatics, criminal justice, and nursing (RN-to-BSN).

Candidates can also pursue a bachelor of science in engineering technology management (ETM) if they possess a relevant associate degree. ETM students delve into topics like project cost analysis, team building and motivation, and systems decision-making strategies. The online graduate catalog contains master's programs in business informatics and applied learning and instruction.

USC Upstate also facilitates a master of science in nursing with a clinical nurse leader concentration. Fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, this 38-credit MSN program teaches candidates to provide direct patient care in complex settings. Distance learners complete clinicals in their communities. Applicants to this program must submit a current resume or CV, three recommendation letters, and a 1-2-page personal statement; however, students need not submit GRE scores.

The University of South Carolina - Aiken enrolls about 3,300 students in over 50 comprehensive academic programs. Learners at the school may pursue an education online through Blackboard. For example, licensed RNs can enroll in a fully online bachelor of nursing track to obtain their qualifications in as few as 12 months. To enroll in this program, candidates must possess an active and unencumbered license in the state where they plan to complete preceptor work.

The university also offers degree completion programs in special education and business administration. Undergraduate applicants need a minimum 2.5 GPA. Experienced educators may also earn remote master's credentials that lead to add-on certification and endorsement in areas like project-based learning, online teaching, and gifted and talented education.

USC Aiken also oversees master of business administration programs that hold accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. MBA candidates complete 36 credits of coursework over two years. They may pursue a generalist track or concentrate their training on areas like accounting, finance, and project management. MBA applicants need a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA and adequate GMAT results.

Located in Conway, Coastal Carolina University was established in 1954 as a two-year school. Today, CCU operates as a public liberal arts institution that delivers online degrees through the Moodle platform. Students can access over 1,000 individual asynchronous classes. They may also earn fully remote bachelor's degrees in areas like marketing and health administration. Furthermore, distance learners may enroll in a completionist track for hospitality, resort, and tourism management; students pursuing this degree complete a required internship with a local company.

Graduate students can pick from online master's degrees centered on business and education. Offerings include a 12-month master of business administration program that does not require GMAT scores from applicants with a minimum 3.75 GPA or at least five years of relevant career experience.

Licensed teachers can pursue credentials in literacy and special education leading to specialty endorsements. CCU also delivers a master of education in instructional technology for students who want to work as curriculum developers and corporate trainers. To enroll in an M.Ed. program, prospective students need at least a 3.0 GPA.