Colleges with the best earnings for the price in South Carolina
Colleges ranked by what former students earn ten years after enrolling, compared with four years of net price.
Colleges with the best earnings for the price in South Carolina9 schools
9 schools qualify, ranked by earnings for the price.
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 median earnings ten years after enrolling and a net price from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by earnings divided by four years of net price, highest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1Tie
Wofford College
Spartanburg, SC · Private nonprofitHonor RollTop 8% for graduation
- Earnings are 0.9× the four-year net price
- Earnings $68,964 ten years out
- 1Tie
Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Charleston, SC · PublicHonor Roll#2 in South Carolina
- Earnings are 0.9× the four-year net price
- Earnings $72,085 ten years out
- 3
Clemson University
Clemson, SC · PublicHonor Roll#1 in South Carolina
- Earnings are 0.8× the four-year net price
- Earnings $71,513 ten years out
- 4Tie
College of Charleston
Charleston, SC · Public#8 in South Carolina
- Earnings are 0.7× the four-year net price
- Earnings $56,416 ten years out
- 4Tie
University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia, SC · PublicTop 12% for graduation
- Earnings are 0.7× the four-year net price
- Earnings $62,177 ten years out
- 4Tie
Bob Jones University
Greenville, SC · Private nonprofitExcellent: Compass grade A-
- Earnings are 0.7× the four-year net price
- Earnings $44,354 ten years out
- 7
Furman University
Greenville, SC · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#3 in South Carolina
- Earnings are 0.6× the four-year net price
- Earnings $68,635 ten years out
- 8Tie
Anderson University
Anderson, SC · Private nonprofit#9 in South Carolina
- Earnings are 0.4× the four-year net price
- Earnings $42,101 ten years out
- 8Tie
Converse University
Spartanburg, SC · Private nonprofit#10 in South Carolina
- Earnings are 0.4× the four-year net price
- Earnings $40,867 ten years out
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wofford College | $18,732 | $25,732 | $68,964 | 84% |
| Citadel Military College of South Carolina | $20,723 | $21,096 | $72,085 | 75% |
| Clemson University | $22,253 | $21,500 | $71,513 | 87% |
| College of Charleston | $18,960 | $23,250 | $56,416 | 66% |
| University of South Carolina-Columbia | $22,811 | $21,500 | $62,177 | 79% |
| Bob Jones University | $16,641 | $16,585 | $44,354 | 65% |
| Furman University | $30,308 | $23,250 | $68,635 | 79% |
| Anderson University | $23,544 | $26,700 | $42,101 | 66% |
| Converse University | $23,283 | $27,000 | $40,867 | 62% |
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 4
- Arkansas 5
- California 62
- Colorado 6
- Connecticut 13
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 21
- Georgia 9
- Illinois 21
- Indiana 21
- Iowa 16
- Kansas 4
- Kentucky 7
- Louisiana 3
- Maine 9
- Maryland 15
- Massachusetts 46
- Michigan 20
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 18
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 16
- New York 77
- North Carolina 16
- Ohio 32
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 10
- Pennsylvania 60
- Rhode Island 9
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 20
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Virginia 20
- Washington 13
- Wisconsin 15