The Most Affordable Colleges in South Carolina That Actually Graduate Their Students
Clemson University offers the strongest combination of affordability and graduation rate among public colleges in South Carolina, graduating 88% of students within six years at $12,204 in-state tuition. This ranking covers South Carolina’s public four-year colleges, ranked by six-year graduation rate per thousand dollars of in-state tuition, using federal IPEDS data.
| Rank | College | City | 6-Year Grad Rate | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Median ACT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clemson University | Clemson | 88% | $12,204 | $23,912 | 30 |
| 2 | Citadel Military College of South Carolina | Charleston | 73% | $10,890 | $18,540 | 24 |
| 3 | University of South Carolina-Columbia | Columbia | 78% | $13,774 | $30,160 | 29 |
| 4 | Lander University | Greenwood | 49% | $9,810 | $9,910 | 21 |
| 5 | Coastal Carolina University | Conway | 51% | $10,764 | $20,628 | 22 |
| 6 | College of Charleston | Charleston | 65% | $14,230 | $39,332 | 27 |
| 7 | Francis Marion University | Florence | 43% | $11,388 | $22,000 | 18 |
| 8 | Winthrop University | Rock Hill | 61% | $16,186 | $30,660 | 22 |
| 9 | University of South Carolina-Upstate | Spartanburg | 42% | $14,109 | $30,135 | 23 |
| 10 | University of South Carolina Aiken | Aiken | 40% | $14,096 | $30,122 | 21 |
1. Clemson University
Clemson, South Carolina
Clemson University graduates 88% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $12,204 per year. Out-of-state students pay $23,912. Median ACT: 30.
2. Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates 73% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $10,890 per year. Out-of-state students pay $18,540. Median ACT: 24.
3. University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina
University of South Carolina-Columbia graduates 78% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $13,774 per year. Out-of-state students pay $30,160. Median ACT: 29.
4. Lander University
Greenwood, South Carolina
Lander University graduates 49% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $9,810 per year. Out-of-state students pay $9,910. Median ACT: 21.
5. Coastal Carolina University
Conway, South Carolina
Coastal Carolina University graduates 51% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $10,764 per year. Out-of-state students pay $20,628. Median ACT: 22.
6. College of Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina
College of Charleston graduates 65% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $14,230 per year. Out-of-state students pay $39,332. Median ACT: 27.
7. Francis Marion University
Florence, South Carolina
Francis Marion University graduates 43% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $11,388 per year. Out-of-state students pay $22,000. Median ACT: 18.
8. Winthrop University
Rock Hill, South Carolina
Winthrop University graduates 61% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $16,186 per year. Out-of-state students pay $30,660. Median ACT: 22.
9. University of South Carolina-Upstate
Spartanburg, South Carolina
University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates 42% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $14,109 per year. Out-of-state students pay $30,135. Median ACT: 23.
10. University of South Carolina Aiken
Aiken, South Carolina
University of South Carolina Aiken graduates 40% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $14,096 per year. Out-of-state students pay $30,122. Median ACT: 21.
How were these colleges ranked?
These rankings score each public four-year college in South Carolina by dividing its six-year graduation rate by its in-state tuition per thousand dollars. A school graduating 60% of students at $10,000 in-state tuition scores 6.0; one graduating 60% at $20,000 scores 3.0. Higher score means more degree completions per dollar spent.
Data comes from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the federal government’s official higher education database. Graduation rates reflect the most recent six-year cohort. Only public four-year bachelor’s-granting institutions with at least 100 students in the graduation cohort are included. The ranking covers 14 qualifying public institutions in South Carolina.
Source: IPEDS — National Center for Education Statistics
Data from IPEDS 2022 reporting year. Published September 2026.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only. Information and conditions are subject to change. Verify current details directly with the relevant source before making any decisions.
