2026 Best Value Graduate Degrees Schools in South Carolina
Looking for the best-value Graduate Degrees degree programs in South Carolina? Our ranking highlights 90 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Grad Degree evaluated 22 schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in South Carolina
Explore the best-value schools below:
Charleston Southern University earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in South Carolina. Charleston Southern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Charleston, SC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,520. Graduates carry a median of $27,569 in student loans. Median earnings reach $45,898 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $27,569 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted. More on Charleston Southern University
You'll get strong value at Citadel Military College Of South Carolina, which ranked #2 this year. Based in Charleston, SC, Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,570 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,508 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,305 in student loans. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina alumni report median earnings of $72,085 a decade after entry. Set against $24,305 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 23%. See the full Citadel Military College Of South Carolina profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Clemson University earned it the #3 place in South Carolina. This public school is set in Clemson, SC. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Clemson University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $23,783 in debt. Median earnings reach $71,513 ten years out. Set against $23,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%. More on Clemson University
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Converse College earned it the #4 place in South Carolina. This private not-for-profit school is set in Spartanburg, SC. In-state tuition and fees average $25,240. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,715. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $40,867. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Converse College has an acceptance rate of 68%. Get the full Converse College report
You'll get strong value at Columbia International University, which ranked #5 this year. Set in Columbia, SC, Columbia International University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,900. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $21,667. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,951. Set against $21,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 94% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Columbia International University profile
Anderson University Sc placed #6 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in South Carolina. This private not-for-profit school is set in Anderson, SC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,970. Anderson University Sc Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $28,034 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $42,101. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 55% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Anderson University Sc
University Of South Carolina Columbia offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a public school based in Columbia, SC. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,688, while out-of-state students pay about $36,298. Graduates carry a median of $24,472 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 60% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of South Carolina Columbia
Francis Marion University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Francis Marion University is a public school based in Florence, SC. In-state tuition and fees average $11,170, compared with $21,544 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,577 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Francis Marion University admits about 86% of applicants. Read the full report on Francis Marion University
Erskine College And Seminary ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Set in Due West, SC, Erskine College And Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Erskine College And Seminary alumni report median earnings of $53,459 a decade after entry. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Erskine College And Seminary admits about 63% of applicants. See the full Erskine College And Seminary profile
Bob Jones University landed the #10 spot for value in South Carolina this year. Based in Greenville, SC, Bob Jones University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $22,892. Students borrow a median of $20,497 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,354 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Bob Jones University profile
Coastal Carolina University offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Based in Conway, SC, Coastal Carolina University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,640, with out-of-state students paying around $29,628. Graduates carry a median of $27,174 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $47,258. That is a strong return on a $27,174 median debt. Coastal Carolina University admits about 75% of applicants. Read more about Coastal Carolina University
North Greenville University offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Tigerville, SC. Students from in state pay about $25,800 in tuition and fees. North Greenville University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $24,128 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $43,035. Set against $24,128 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted. Read more about North Greenville University
College Of Charleston placed #13 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in South Carolina. College Of Charleston is a public school based in Charleston, SC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,978, while out-of-state students pay about $38,296. Students borrow a median of $24,733 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $56,416. Set against $24,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of Charleston admits about 60% of applicants. More on College Of Charleston
University Of South Carolina Upstate landed the #14 spot for value in South Carolina this year. University Of South Carolina Upstate is a public school based in Spartanburg, SC. Students from in state pay about $11,588 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,090. University Of South Carolina Upstate Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $28,000 in debt. University Of South Carolina Upstate alumni report median earnings of $48,587 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. University Of South Carolina Upstate admits about 67% of applicants. Get the full University Of South Carolina Upstate report
University Of South Carolina Aiken came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Set in Aiken, SC, University Of South Carolina Aiken is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,760 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,218. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $27,011. University Of South Carolina Aiken alumni report median earnings of $45,603 a decade after entry. Set against $27,011 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Carolina Aiken admits about 78% of applicants. Read more about University Of South Carolina Aiken
Columbia College South Carolina placed #16 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in South Carolina. Columbia College South Carolina is a private not-for-profit school based in Columbia, SC. In-state tuition and fees average $20,054. Students borrow a median of $28,158 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Median earnings reach $41,338 ten years out. Set against $28,158 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia College South Carolina admits about 94% of applicants. More on Columbia College South Carolina
Southern Wesleyan University placed #17 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in South Carolina. Located in Central, SC, Southern Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $29,800. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $31,554. Median earnings reach $47,756 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $31,554 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%. See the full Southern Wesleyan University profile
South Carolina State University placed #18 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in South Carolina. South Carolina State University is a public school based in Orangeburg, SC. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,060, with out-of-state students paying around $21,750. South Carolina State University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $31,740 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 83% of those who apply are admitted. See the full South Carolina State University profile
Winthrop University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Set in Rock Hill, SC, Winthrop University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,678, while out-of-state students pay about $28,676. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $27,040. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,185 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Winthrop University report
Claflin University came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Based in Orangeburg, SC, Claflin University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,046. Students borrow a median of $32,111 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,304 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $32,111 median debt. Claflin University has an acceptance rate of 65%. See the full Claflin University profile
South University Columbia placed #21 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in South Carolina. Based in Columbia, SC, South University Columbia is a private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,895. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $48,920. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $34,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on South University Columbia
Coker College offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Located in Hartsville, SC, Coker College is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,416. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $29,362. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $40,117. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Coker College admits about 94% of applicants. Read the full report on Coker College
American College Of The Building Arts ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. More on American College Of The Building Arts
Sherman College Of Straight Chiropractic ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about Sherman College Of Straight Chiropractic
Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology And Nails Columbia placed #25 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in South Carolina. Read more about Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology And Nails Columbia
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in South Carolina
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Barber Tech Academy Columbia landed the #26 spot for value in South Carolina this year. See the full Barber Tech Academy Columbia profile
Southeastern Institute Columbia ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. More on Southeastern Institute Columbia
Wofford College
Wofford College placed #28 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in South Carolina. Read the full report on Wofford College
Tri County Technical College came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Tri County Technical College
Morris College
Morris College ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about Morris College
Allen University
Allen University offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. More on Allen University
Paul Mitchell The School Columbia ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. More on Paul Mitchell The School Columbia
Spartanburg Methodist College offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. More on Spartanburg Methodist College
Fortis College Columbia ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Fortis College Columbia report
Southeastern Institute Charleston ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. See the full Southeastern Institute Charleston profile
Denmark Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. More on Denmark Technical College
University Of South Carolina Union ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. More on University Of South Carolina Union
Midlands Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. Get the full Midlands Technical College report
Vski Cosmetology School offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. See the full Vski Cosmetology School profile
Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology Rock Hill offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. Read more about Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology Rock Hill
Paul Mitchell The School Charleston ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. More on Paul Mitchell The School Charleston
Charleston School Of Law ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. More on Charleston School Of Law
Medical University Of South Carolina landed the #43 spot for value in South Carolina this year. Read the full report on Medical University Of South Carolina
Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology Goose Creek ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read the full report on Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology Goose Creek
Lander University offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. Read the full report on Lander University
Academy Of Hair Technology landed the #46 spot for value in South Carolina this year. Read the full report on Academy Of Hair Technology
Northeastern Technical College came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. More on Northeastern Technical College
Top Of The Line Barber College offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Read the full report on Top Of The Line Barber College
Florence Darlington Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. Read more about Florence Darlington Technical College
Southeastern Esthetics Institute landed the #50 spot for value in South Carolina this year. Read the full report on Southeastern Esthetics Institute
More Graduate Degrees Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 22 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 90 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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