Best large colleges in South Carolina
Colleges with 10,000 or more undergraduates, ranked by Compass Score.
Best large colleges in South Carolina4 schools
4 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in South Carolina.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- 10,000 or more undergraduate students (federal enrollment).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Clemson University
Clemson, SC · PublicHonor Roll#1 in South Carolina
- 22,875 undergraduates
- 87% graduate
- 2
University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia, SC · PublicTop 12% for graduation
- 28,470 undergraduates
- 79% graduate
- 3
- 4
Coastal Carolina University
Conway, SC · Public#14 in South Carolina
- 10,306 undergraduates
- 48% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clemson University | $22,253 | $21,500 | $71,513 | 87% |
| University of South Carolina-Columbia | $22,811 | $21,500 | $62,177 | 79% |
| College of Charleston | $18,960 | $23,250 | $56,416 | 66% |
| Coastal Carolina University | $13,966 | $23,750 | $47,258 | 48% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 5
- Arizona 6
- California 29
- Colorado 6
- District of Columbia 3
- Florida 13
- Georgia 8
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 8
- Indiana 6
- Kansas 4
- Kentucky 4
- Louisiana 4
- Maryland 4
- Massachusetts 6
- Michigan 8
- Minnesota 3
- Mississippi 3
- Missouri 6
- Nebraska 3
- New Jersey 4
- New York 19
- North Carolina 9
- Ohio 9
- Oklahoma 3
- Oregon 3
- Pennsylvania 6
- Tennessee 4
- Texas 19
- Utah 8
- Virginia 8
- Washington 3
- Wisconsin 3