Colleges with the lowest student debt in South Carolina
Colleges whose graduates leave with the least federal student debt.
Colleges with the lowest student debt in South Carolina10 schools
10 schools qualify, ranked by median debt.
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 the median federal loan debt of graduates from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by median debt, lowest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
American College of the Building Arts
Charleston, SC · Private nonprofitTop 13% for low debt
- Median debt $12,500
- 62% graduate
- 2
Bob Jones University
Greenville, SC · Private nonprofitExcellent: Compass grade A-
- Median debt $16,585
- 65% graduate
- 3
Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Charleston, SC · PublicHonor Roll#2 in South Carolina
- Median debt $21,096
- 75% graduate
- 4Tie
- 4Tie
University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia, SC · PublicTop 12% for graduation
- Median debt $21,500
- 79% graduate
- 6Tie
Furman University
Greenville, SC · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#3 in South Carolina
- Median debt $23,250
- 79% graduate
- 6Tie
- 8
Wofford College
Spartanburg, SC · Private nonprofitHonor RollTop 8% for graduation
- Median debt $25,732
- 84% graduate
- 9
Anderson University
Anderson, SC · Private nonprofit#9 in South Carolina
- Median debt $26,700
- 66% graduate
- 10
Converse University
Spartanburg, SC · Private nonprofit#10 in South Carolina
- Median debt $27,000
- 62% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American College of the Building Arts | $30,403 | $12,500 | — | 62% |
| Bob Jones University | $16,641 | $16,585 | $44,354 | 65% |
| Citadel Military College of South Carolina | $20,723 | $21,096 | $72,085 | 75% |
| Clemson University | $22,253 | $21,500 | $71,513 | 87% |
| University of South Carolina-Columbia | $22,811 | $21,500 | $62,177 | 79% |
| Furman University | $30,308 | $23,250 | $68,635 | 79% |
| College of Charleston | $18,960 | $23,250 | $56,416 | 66% |
| Wofford College | $18,732 | $25,732 | $68,964 | 84% |
| 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 61
- 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 19
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 16
- New York 75
- North Carolina 18
- Ohio 33
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 11
- Pennsylvania 60
- Rhode Island 9
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 20
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Virginia 21
- Washington 13
- Wisconsin 15