2026 Best Value Education Schools in South Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Education Schools
Horry Georgetown Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among education schools in South Carolina. Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Conway. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,518, while out-of-state students pay about $10,978. Typical student debt for education graduates is $19,172. Education graduates of Horry Georgetown Technical College earn a median of $37,387 early in their careers. Set against $19,172 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of South Carolina Aiken came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the suburb of Aiken, University Of South Carolina Aiken is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,760, compared with $21,218 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $24,776 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $38,667. That is a strong return on a $24,776 median debt. University Of South Carolina Aiken admits about 78% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of South Carolina Upstate one of the best values for education. University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,588, with out-of-state students paying around $23,090. Typical student debt for education graduates is $29,937. Education graduates of University Of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of $39,948 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,937 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Coastal Carolina University one of the best values for education. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,640, compared with $29,628 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Coastal Carolina University generally make around $47,624. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Francis Marion University, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of Florence, Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,170, compared with $21,544 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $39,122. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Lander University landed the #6 spot for education value this year. Lander University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Greenwood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,700, compared with $21,300 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $26,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Lander University generally make around $43,532. Set against $26,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lander University admits about 81% of applicants.
Winthrop University earned the #7 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,678, with out-of-state students paying around $28,676. Students borrow a median of $26,953 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Winthrop University generally make around $45,207. Set against $26,953 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Winthrop University admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Beaufort came in at #8 for value in education this year. Set in the town of Bluffton, University Of South Carolina Beaufort is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,730, while out-of-state students pay about $21,776. Education graduates carry a median of $27,750 in student loans. Education graduates of University Of South Carolina Beaufort earn a median of $44,659 early in their careers. Set against $27,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Carolina Beaufort admits about 72% of applicants.
Voorhees College earned the #9 position for value in education this year. Voorhees College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Denmark. Students from in state pay about $12,630 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,339 ten years after entry.
Coker College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the town of Hartsville, Coker College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,416. Typical student debt for education graduates is $29,362. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Coker College generally make around $50,683. Set against $29,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Charleston ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,978, while out-of-state students pay about $38,296. Students borrow a median of $24,929 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $43,568. That is a strong return on a $24,929 median debt. College Of Charleston admits about 60% of applicants.
Southern Wesleyan University came in at #12 for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Central, Southern Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,800. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $49,336. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
South Carolina State University landed the #13 spot for education value this year. Located in the town of Orangeburg, South Carolina State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,750. Typical student debt for education graduates is $31,841. Education graduates of South Carolina State University earn a median of $44,910 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,841 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Bob Jones University placed #14 among the best values for education. Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Greenville. Students from in state pay about $22,892 in tuition and fees. Education graduates carry a median of $17,270 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $35,691. Set against $17,270 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Greenville University came in at #15 for value in education this year. North Greenville University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Tigerville. Students from in state pay about $25,800 in tuition and fees. Education graduates carry a median of $20,075 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $42,477. Set against $20,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina earned the #16 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Charleston, Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,570, with out-of-state students paying around $38,508. Students borrow a median of $24,305 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $63,798. That is a strong return on a $24,305 median debt. The acceptance rate is 23%.
Columbia International University came in at #17 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Columbia, Columbia International University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,900. Students borrow a median of $21,667 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Columbia International University earn a median of $40,416 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Claflin University placed #18 among the best values for education. Located in the town of Orangeburg, Claflin University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,046. Typical student debt for education graduates is $37,377. Education graduates of Claflin University earn a median of $33,026 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $37,377 median debt. Claflin University admits about 65% of applicants.
Charleston Southern University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Charleston, Charleston Southern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,520. Education graduates carry a median of $27,284 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $40,597. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Clemson University placed #20 among the best values for education. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Typical student debt for education graduates is $23,553. Early-career education graduates make about $44,929. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia College South Carolina ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Columbia, Columbia College South Carolina is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,054. Education graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Columbia College South Carolina generally make around $43,929. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of South Carolina Columbia placed #22 among the best values for education. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,688, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Education graduates carry a median of $24,045 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia generally make around $44,927. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Anderson University Sc placed #23 among the best values for education. Anderson University Sc is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Anderson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,970. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Early-career education graduates make about $45,497. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Furman University came in at #24 for value in education this year. Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,770. Education graduates carry a median of $23,764 in student loans. Education graduates of Furman University earn a median of $36,520 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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 Major Best Value · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Education](/majors/education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
