Best Colleges in South Carolina

As the second-largest higher education institution in South Carolina, Clemson University enrolls over 25,000 students through seven colleges, awarding 80 undergraduate and 110 graduate degrees. Prospective first-year students undergo a holistic evaluation process that considers GPA, class rank, ACT/SAT performance, and choice of major. Transfer candidates need at least 30 credits earned with a minimum 2.5 GPA. The university offers a variety of financial aid opportunities, including the Gateway Scholarships for students from underrepresented communities.

Bachelor's candidates pick from majors like psychology, women's leadership, material science and engineering, and graphic communication. They can also enroll in an agricultural mechanization and business program that combines technological knowledge and management skills. Through Clemson's Creative Inquiry Initiative, undergraduate students may access research guidance and project funding.

Graduate programs include master's tracks in microbiology; digital production arts; and parks, recreation, and tourism management. Candidates may also pursue a Ph.D. in healthcare genetics. These doctoral candidates can pick from three specialized tracks: intervention, bench science, and ethics and health policy.

Based in Charleston, The Citadel Military was established in 1842 as one of six senior military colleges in the United States. The institution houses the South Carolina Corps of Cadets -- military students who study under a classical armed forces system that emphasizes character development and leadership training. The Citadel also delivers civilian academic programs, including 23 undergraduate majors and 26 graduate degrees.

Bachelor's candidates pick from majors like intelligence and security studies, biology, accounting, and civil and environmental engineering. They can pursue a political science degree, picking a concentration in international politics and legal affairs, pre-law and legal studies, or American government and politics. All undergraduate students may augment their degree plans by taking on a complementary minor.

The graduate catalog contains master's degrees in clinical counseling, computer and information sciences, and interdisciplinary STEM education. The Citadel also provides a plethora of online programs through Blackboard. Options include a master of business administration, which holds accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Furman University was established in 1826, making it one of the oldest higher education institutions in South Carolina. Today, the school enrolls around 2,800 students in over 60 academic programs. Undergraduate majors include music theory, neuroscience, applied mathematics, and public health. Students can also earn a bachelor's degree in English, picking a concentration in writing or literature and language. The university also offers a dual-degree track that allows candidates to earn bachelor's degrees in physics and engineering in five years.

Furman delivers graduate programs that cover areas like chemistry, strategic design, and community engaged medicine. Students can pick from one of nine education degrees. Options include a master of arts in teaching that leads to initial state licensure and the post-master's education specialist credential. The university also facilitates evening programs and continuing education opportunities for working professionals.

Furman maintains a test-optional admission policy. Undergraduate candidates can decide whether their SAT/ACT performance accurately reflects their academic potential. Graduate criteria differ by program, but typically include a minimum 2.75 GPA.

The University of South Carolina is the flagship institution of the University of South Carolina System, renowned for its innovative research initiatives and student-centered academics.

Over 34,000 students attend UofSC, pursuing undergraduate credentials in fields like cardiovascular technology and risk management and insurance. The university also offers a bachelor's degree in African American studies, which enables candidates to develop service-learning experience with local civic organizations and research institutes. Additionally, UofSC delivers a comprehensive engineering program with five concentrations. The average incoming first-year student holds a 3.8 high school GPA and an ACT score of 25 or an SAT score of 1200.

Graduate students pick from master's degrees like advertising, speech-language pathology, and public relations. They can pursue a Ph.D. in marine science, pursuing independent projects at the Baruch Institute -- an internationally acclaimed research laboratory. Funding is available through programs like the SPARC Graduate Fellowship.

UofSC also facilitates over 1,500 study abroad programs. These opportunities include experiences specifically for international business students and funded global research trips for Magellan Scholars.

One of the best regional postsecondary schools in the U.S., the University of South Carolina - Aiken supports more than 3,500 students and delivers affordable academic programs. Bachelor's degree options include industrial process engineering, sociology, special education, and communication and digital arts. Undergraduate candidates can also pursue applied computer science degrees, picking from a concentration in game development or cybersecurity. The university also operates a traditional nursing program and a remote RN-to-BSN track.

First-year applicants undergo a holistic evaluation process that considers their GPA, the rigor of their high school curriculum, and their ACT/SAT performance.

USC Aiken delivers seven graduate degrees, many of which students can complete entirely online through asynchronous coursework powered by Blackboard. Distance learners may obtain a master of business administration, pursuing a generalist track or a concentration in accounting, finance, or project management. The university also provides online master's programs in educational leadership and educational technology. Graduate admission requirements differ by program but typically require a minimum 2.5-3.0 GPA and relevant professional experience.

Wofford College is located in Spartanburg and focuses on liberal arts education. Students choose from 26 bachelor's programs, including art history, physics, studio art, and computer science. They can also pursue a business economics degree, developing the mathematical and analytical skills needed to analyze how governmental policies affect economic activity worldwide. Furthermore, the college delivers a bachelor of intercultural studies program that enables candidates to design their own major, focusing coursework and research on a specific country or region.

Beyond conventional undergraduate academics, Wofford provides pre-professional programs in nine areas. Options include law, medicine, ministry, and veterinary science. The college facilitates one graduate program – a master of arts in teaching. MAT candidates spend four years completing their baccalaureate credentials and an additional year earning their graduate degree and professional teacher certification.

To enroll as an incoming first-year student, applicants should submit the Common Application and official high school transcripts. Domestic students can also submit their SAT/ACT scores, if they want to. Financial aid opportunities include institutional scholarships for music, theatre, studio art, and art history majors.

Established in 1967, the University of South Carolina Upstate is one of the newest and fastest-growing higher education institutions in the state. USC Upstate enrolls around 6,000 students in over 40 undergraduate and graduate programs. All applicants must submit standardized test scores. The university offers academic scholarships to first-year students who possess a minimum 3.25 GPA, rank in the top 10% of their class, and score at least 1100 on the SAT.

The school offers bachelor's degrees in topics that include computer information systems, health informatics, sociology, and business administration and economics. Students can also pursue a bachelor of science in nursing; this program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Candidates may also design their own major through the interdisciplinary studies track.

In addition to a variety of pre-professional options, USC Upstate delivers six graduate programs. Offerings include nursing, informatics, and special education: visual impairment. Certified teachers can advance their careers by earning a master's degree in early childhood education or elementary education. The university also offers a graduate business analytics program that focuses on extracting valuable insight from data sets.