2027 Best Value Education Schools in South Carolina
[Education](/majors/education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools to find the best return on investment for education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Education Schools in South Carolina
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Education Schools
For return on investment in education, no school beat Horry Georgetown Technical College this year. Located in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,518, while out-of-state students pay about $10,978. Students borrow a median of $19,172 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Horry Georgetown Technical College earn a median of $37,387 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
York Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,036, while out-of-state students pay about $13,340. Students borrow a median of $10,907 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from York Technical College generally make around $37,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of South Carolina Aiken is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of South Carolina Aiken is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Aiken. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,760, with out-of-state students paying around $21,218. Typical student debt for education graduates is $24,776. Education graduates of University Of South Carolina Aiken earn a median of $38,667 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,776 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Carolina Upstate earned it the #4 place for education. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,588 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,090 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $29,937. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Upstate generally make around $39,786. Set against $29,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Francis Marion University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #5 spot this year. Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Florence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,170, compared with $21,544 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Francis Marion University generally make around $39,122. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Coastal Carolina University came in at #6 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,640, compared with $29,628 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Education graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $48,147 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Coastal Carolina University admits about 75% of applicants.
Voorhees College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Voorhees College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Denmark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,630. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,339 ten years after entry.
Winthrop University earned the #8 position for value in education this year. Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rock Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,678, while out-of-state students pay about $28,676. Typical student debt for education graduates is $26,953. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Winthrop University generally make around $44,901. Set against $26,953 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Southern Wesleyan University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Southern Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Central. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,800. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $47,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Wesleyan University admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Beaufort earned the #10 position for value in education this year. University Of South Carolina Beaufort is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bluffton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,730, compared with $21,776 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,750. Education graduates of University Of South Carolina Beaufort earn a median of $44,659 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Lander University landed the #11 spot for education value this year. Lander University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Greenwood. In-state tuition and fees average $11,700, compared with $21,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $26,075. Education graduates of Lander University earn a median of $43,532 early in their careers. Set against $26,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lander University admits about 81% of applicants.
Claflin University landed the #12 spot for education value this year. Set in the town of Orangeburg, Claflin University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia College South Carolina came in at #13 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Columbia, Columbia College South Carolina is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $45,536. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Columbia College South Carolina admits about 94% of applicants.
College Of Charleston placed #14 among the best values for education. College Of Charleston is a large public school located in the city of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,978, while out-of-state students pay about $38,296. Education graduates carry a median of $24,929 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $43,630. Set against $24,929 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of Charleston admits about 60% of applicants.
South Carolina State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. South Carolina State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orangeburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,060, compared with $21,750 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,841 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from South Carolina State University generally make around $49,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Strayer University South Carolina placed #16 among the best values for education. Strayer University South Carolina is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,920. Education graduates carry a median of $47,631 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Strayer University South Carolina generally make around $47,858. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bob Jones University placed #17 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Greenville, Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,892. Typical student debt for education graduates is $17,270. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Bob Jones University generally make around $35,729. Set against $17,270 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina came in at #18 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Charleston, Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,570, with out-of-state students paying around $38,508. Typical student debt for education graduates is $24,305. Early-career education graduates make about $63,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina admits about 23% of applicants.
North Greenville University came in at #19 for value in education this year. Located in the rural area of Tigerville, North Greenville University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education graduates is $20,075. Early-career education graduates make about $42,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Greenville University admits about 67% of applicants.
Newberry College came in at #20 for value in education this year. Set in the town of Newberry, Newberry College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $31,100 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Newberry College earn a median of $41,127 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Newberry College admits about 90% of applicants.
Clemson University earned the #21 position for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Typical student debt for education graduates is $23,553. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $46,085. Set against $23,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
Charleston Southern University placed #22 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Charleston, Charleston Southern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $32,520 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,284 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Charleston Southern University generally make around $40,595. Set against $27,284 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of South Carolina Columbia placed #23 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,688, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Students borrow a median of $24,045 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $44,565 early in their careers. Set against $24,045 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Carolina Columbia admits about 60% of applicants.
Converse College came in at #24 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Spartanburg, Converse College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,240 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Converse College generally make around $42,187. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Converse College admits about 68% of applicants.
Anderson University Sc came in at #25 for value in education this year. Anderson University Sc is a moderately-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 $46,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Anderson University Sc admits about 55% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in education:
View All Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
