Most affordable colleges with strong academics in South Carolina
The lowest net prices among colleges with an Academic Excellence grade of B or better.
Most affordable colleges with strong academics in South Carolina10 schools
10 schools qualify, ranked by net 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 a net price from federal data (the average yearly cost after grants, College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by net price, lowest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Bob Jones University
Greenville, SC · Private nonprofitExcellent: Compass grade A-
- Net price $16,641 a year
- 65% graduate
- 2
Wofford College
Spartanburg, SC · Private nonprofitHonor RollTop 8% for graduation
- Net price $18,732 a year
- 84% graduate
- 3
College of Charleston
Charleston, SC · Public#8 in South Carolina
- Net price $18,960 a year
- 66% graduate
- 4
Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Charleston, SC · PublicHonor Roll#2 in South Carolina
- Net price $20,723 a year
- 75% graduate
- 5
Clemson University
Clemson, SC · PublicHonor Roll#1 in South Carolina
- Net price $22,253 a year
- 87% graduate
- 6
University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia, SC · PublicTop 12% for graduation
- Net price $22,811 a year
- 79% graduate
- 7
Converse University
Spartanburg, SC · Private nonprofit#10 in South Carolina
- Net price $23,283 a year
- 62% graduate
- 8
Anderson University
Anderson, SC · Private nonprofit#9 in South Carolina
- Net price $23,544 a year
- 66% graduate
- 9
Furman University
Greenville, SC · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#3 in South Carolina
- Net price $30,308 a year
- 79% graduate
- 10
American College of the Building Arts
Charleston, SC · Private nonprofitTop 13% for low debt
- Net price $30,403 a year
- 62% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Jones University | About $17,000 | $16,585 | $44,354 | 65% |
| Wofford College | About $19,000 | $25,732 | $68,964 | 84% |
| College of Charleston | About $19,000 | $23,250 | $56,416 | 66% |
| Citadel Military College of South Carolina | About $21,000 | $21,096 | $72,085 | 75% |
| Clemson University | About $22,000 | $21,500 | $71,513 | 87% |
| University of South Carolina-Columbia | About $23,000 | $21,500 | $62,177 | 79% |
| Converse University | About $23,000 | $27,000 | $40,867 | 62% |
| Anderson University | About $24,000 | $26,700 | $42,101 | 66% |
| Furman University | About $30,000 | $23,250 | $68,635 | 79% |
| 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.
This list in other states
- Alabama 5
- Arizona 4
- Arkansas 5
- California 63
- 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 47
- Michigan 20
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 18
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 17
- New York 79
- North Carolina 17
- Ohio 33
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 11
- Pennsylvania 60
- Rhode Island 9
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 20
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Virginia 20
- Washington 13
- Wisconsin 15