Most selective colleges in South Carolina
Colleges that admit the smallest share of applicants.
Most selective colleges in South Carolina9 schools
9 schools qualify, ranked by admission rate.
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 an admission rate from federal data (College Scorecard). Average SAT scores are shown where the college reports them.
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by admission rate, lowest first. Selectivity measures demand for places, not the quality of teaching.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Charleston, SC · PublicHonor Roll#2 in South Carolina
- Admits 23%
- Average SAT 1208
- 2
- 3
Furman University
Greenville, SC · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#3 in South Carolina
- Admits 43%
- Average SAT 1371
- 4
American College of the Building Arts
Charleston, SC · Private nonprofitTop 13% for low debt
- Admits 44%
- Average SAT 1190
- 5
Wofford College
Spartanburg, SC · Private nonprofitHonor RollTop 8% for graduation
- Admits 52%
- Average SAT 1296
- 6
- 7
- 8
University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia, SC · PublicTop 12% for graduation
- Admits 60%
- Average SAT 1297
- 9
Converse University
Spartanburg, SC · Private nonprofit#10 in South Carolina
- Admits 68%
- Average SAT 1138
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citadel Military College of South Carolina | $20,723 | $21,096 | $72,085 | 75% |
| Clemson University | $22,253 | $21,500 | $71,513 | 87% |
| Furman University | $30,308 | $23,250 | $68,635 | 79% |
| American College of the Building Arts | $30,403 | $12,500 | — | 62% |
| Wofford College | $18,732 | $25,732 | $68,964 | 84% |
| Anderson University | $23,544 | $26,700 | $42,101 | 66% |
| College of Charleston | $18,960 | $23,250 | $56,416 | 66% |
| University of South Carolina-Columbia | $22,811 | $21,500 | $62,177 | 79% |
| 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 57
- Colorado 7
- Connecticut 13
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 20
- Georgia 9
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 21
- Indiana 21
- Iowa 16
- Kansas 3
- Kentucky 7
- Louisiana 3
- Maine 9
- Maryland 16
- Massachusetts 46
- Michigan 21
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 19
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 17
- New York 79
- North Carolina 18
- Ohio 32
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 11
- Pennsylvania 60
- Rhode Island 9
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 17
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Virginia 22
- Washington 12
- Wisconsin 15