College Compass GuideTrue north for every college search.

Best colleges in South Carolina

Sorted by Compass Score, highest first
RankSchoolCompass ScoreCompass Score: a letter grade set by rank among rated colleges from federal data on outcomes, entering students, cost and teaching. The ring shows where the college stands.AcademicsAcademic Excellence: a letter grade set by rank among rated colleges, from federal data on graduation, retention, test scores, faculty ratio, and spending. It never uses rankings or surveys.ValueValue: what families pay after aid, graduation rate, earnings and debt, from federal data.
1Clemson UniversityHonor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value.Clemson, SCAAcademics: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 9%B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 24%
2Citadel Military College of South CarolinaHonor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value.Charleston, SCA-Academics: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 17%A-Value: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 19%
3Furman UniversityHonor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value.Greenville, SCAAcademics: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 6%B-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
4Wofford CollegeHonor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value.Spartanburg, SCAAcademics: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 8%B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 27%
5University of South Carolina-ColumbiaRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Columbia, SCA-Academics: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 14%BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 40%
6Bob Jones UniversityRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Greenville, SCB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 24%BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 40%
7American College of the Building ArtsRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Charleston, SCB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 21%—Value: not yet researched. This school has not been checked against official sources yet.
8College of CharlestonRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Charleston, SCB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 28%BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 41%
9Anderson UniversityRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Anderson, SCB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 29%C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
10Converse UniversitySpartanburg, SCB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 35%C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
11North Greenville UniversityTigerville, SCBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 47%B-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
12Presbyterian CollegeClinton, SCBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 38%BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 47%
13Winthrop UniversityRock Hill, SCBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 43%BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
14Coastal Carolina UniversityConway, SCBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 43%
15Southern Wesleyan UniversityCentral, SCBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 49%BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
16Claflin UniversityOrangeburg, SCBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 41%C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
17University of South Carolina-UpstateSpartanburg, SCB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 35%
18Spartanburg Methodist CollegeSpartanburg, SCB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 24%
19Lander UniversityGreenwood, SCB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.B-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
20University of South Carolina AikenAiken, SCB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 40%
21Charleston Southern UniversityCharleston, SCB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
22Erskine CollegeDue West, SCB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 47%
23Francis Marion UniversityFlorence, SCB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 49%
24Voorhees UniversityDenmark, SCBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
25Newberry CollegeNewberry, SCB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.B-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
26Columbia International UniversityColumbia, SCB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
27University of South Carolina BeaufortBluffton, SCC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 44%
28Clinton CollegeRock Hill, SCC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
29Coker UniversityHartsville, SCB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
30Columbia CollegeColumbia, SCB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.B-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
31Morris CollegeSumter, SCC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
32TieAllen UniversityColumbia, SCC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
32TieSouth University-ColumbiaColumbia, SCC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
34Benedict CollegeColumbia, SCC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
35South Carolina State UniversityOrangeburg, SCC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.

Sorted by Compass Score, highest first

  1. 1
    Clemson UniversityHonor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value.Clemson, SC
    • AcademicsAAcademics: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 9%
    • ValueB+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 24%
  2. 2
    Citadel Military College of South CarolinaHonor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value.Charleston, SC
    • AcademicsA-Academics: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 17%
    • ValueA-Value: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 19%
  3. 3
    Furman UniversityHonor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value.Greenville, SC
    • AcademicsAAcademics: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 6%
    • ValueB-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  4. 4
    Wofford CollegeHonor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value.Spartanburg, SC
    • AcademicsAAcademics: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 8%
    • ValueB+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 27%
  5. 5
    University of South Carolina-ColumbiaRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Columbia, SC
    • AcademicsA-Academics: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 14%
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 40%
  6. 6
    Bob Jones UniversityRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Greenville, SC
    • AcademicsB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 24%
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 40%
  7. 7
    American College of the Building ArtsRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Charleston, SC
    • AcademicsB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 21%
    • Value—Value: not yet researched. This school has not been checked against official sources yet.
  8. 8
    College of CharlestonRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Charleston, SC
    • AcademicsB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 28%
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 41%
  9. 9
    Anderson UniversityRecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Anderson, SC
    • AcademicsB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 29%
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  10. 10
    Converse UniversitySpartanburg, SC
    • AcademicsB+Academics: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 35%
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  11. 11
    North Greenville UniversityTigerville, SC
    • AcademicsBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 47%
    • ValueB-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  12. 12
    Presbyterian CollegeClinton, SC
    • AcademicsBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 38%
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 47%
  13. 13
    Winthrop UniversityRock Hill, SC
    • AcademicsBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 43%
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  14. 14
    Coastal Carolina UniversityConway, SC
    • AcademicsBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 43%
  15. 15
    Southern Wesleyan UniversityCentral, SC
    • AcademicsBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 49%
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  16. 16
    Claflin UniversityOrangeburg, SC
    • AcademicsBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 41%
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  17. 17
    University of South Carolina-UpstateSpartanburg, SC
    • AcademicsB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueB+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 35%
  18. 18
    Spartanburg Methodist CollegeSpartanburg, SC
    • AcademicsB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueB+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 24%
  19. 19
    Lander UniversityGreenwood, SC
    • AcademicsB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueB-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  20. 20
    University of South Carolina AikenAiken, SC
    • AcademicsB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 40%
  21. 21
    Charleston Southern UniversityCharleston, SC
    • AcademicsB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  22. 22
    Erskine CollegeDue West, SC
    • AcademicsB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 47%
  23. 23
    Francis Marion UniversityFlorence, SC
    • AcademicsB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 49%
  24. 24
    Voorhees UniversityDenmark, SC
    • AcademicsBAcademics: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  25. 25
    Newberry CollegeNewberry, SC
    • AcademicsB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueB-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  26. 26
    Columbia International UniversityColumbia, SC
    • AcademicsB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  27. 27
    University of South Carolina BeaufortBluffton, SC
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueBValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.Top 44%
  28. 28
    Clinton CollegeRock Hill, SC
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  29. 29
    Coker UniversityHartsville, SC
    • AcademicsB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  30. 30
    Columbia CollegeColumbia, SC
    • AcademicsB-Academics: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueB-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  31. 31
    Morris CollegeSumter, SC
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  32. 32Tie
    Allen UniversityColumbia, SC
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  33. 32Tie
    South University-ColumbiaColumbia, SC
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  34. 34
    Benedict CollegeColumbia, SC
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
  35. 35
    South Carolina State UniversityOrangeburg, SC
    • AcademicsC+Academics: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.
    • ValueC+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F.

All colleges in South Carolina ›

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