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Colleges where the most freshmen return in South Carolina

Colleges ranked by first-year retention: the share of full-time freshmen who come back for a second year.

Colleges where the most freshmen return in South Carolina10 schools

10 schools qualify, ranked by first-year retention.

How this list is made

Schools in South Carolina.
Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
Academic Excellence grade B+ or better (the top 35% of rated colleges).
Has a first-year retention rate from federal data (College Scorecard).
Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
Ordered by retention rate, highest first.

Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.

1
Clemson University
Clemson, SC · PublicHonor Roll
#1 in South Carolina
- 93% of freshmen return
- 87% graduate
2
University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia, SC · Public
Top 12% for graduation
- 92% of freshmen return
- 79% graduate
3
Wofford College
Spartanburg, SC · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
Top 8% for graduation
- 91% of freshmen return
- 84% graduate
4
Furman University
Greenville, SC · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
#3 in South Carolina
- 91% of freshmen return
- 79% graduate
5
Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Charleston, SC · PublicHonor Roll
#2 in South Carolina
- 86% of freshmen return
- 75% graduate
6
Bob Jones University
Greenville, SC · Private nonprofit
Excellent: Compass grade A-
- 82% of freshmen return
- 65% graduate
7
College of Charleston
Charleston, SC · Public
#8 in South Carolina
- 82% of freshmen return
- 66% graduate
8
Anderson University
Anderson, SC · Private nonprofit
#9 in South Carolina
- 82% of freshmen return
- 66% graduate
9
Converse University
Spartanburg, SC · Private nonprofit
#10 in South Carolina
- 80% of freshmen return
- 62% graduate
10
American College of the Building Arts
Charleston, SC · Private nonprofit
Top 13% for low debt
- 75% of freshmen return
- 62% graduate

Compare cost and outcomes

School	Net price a year	Median debt	Earnings 10 years out	Graduation rate
Clemson University	About $22,000	$21,500	$71,513	87%
University of South Carolina-Columbia	About $23,000	$21,500	$62,177	79%
Wofford College	About $19,000	$25,732	$68,964	84%
Furman University	About $30,000	$23,250	$68,635	79%
Citadel Military College of South Carolina	About $21,000	$21,096	$72,085	75%
Bob Jones University	About $17,000	$16,585	$44,354	65%
College of Charleston	About $19,000	$23,250	$56,416	66%
Anderson University	About $24,000	$26,700	$42,101	66%
Converse University	About $23,000	$27,000	$40,867	62%
American College of the Building Arts	About $30,000	$12,500	—	62%

Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.

The national list → · All top school lists →

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