2026 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in South Carolina

[General Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/general-chemistry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools to find the best return on investment for general chemistry students.
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2026 Best Value General Chemistry Schools in South Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general chemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Chemistry Schools
Lander University tops our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools in South Carolina. Lander University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Greenwood. Students from in state pay about $11,700 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,064 to complete the general chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Lander University generally make around $37,548. That is a strong return on a $26,064 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general chemistry will find it at College Of Charleston, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,978, while out-of-state students pay about $38,296. General Chemistry graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from College Of Charleston generally make around $39,208. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of Charleston admits about 60% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Clemson University earned it the #3 place for general chemistry. 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, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general chemistry program here. General Chemistry graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $53,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general chemistry will find it at University Of South Carolina Columbia, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $25,046. Early-career general chemistry graduates make about $62,744. Set against $25,046 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Students looking for strong value in general chemistry will find it at Wofford College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Spartanburg, Wofford College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,005. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $24,643. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Wofford College generally make around $41,052. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Furman University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general chemistry schools. Located in the suburb of Greenville, Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $59,770. Typical student debt for general chemistry graduates is $23,764. Soon after graduation, general chemistry degree recipients from Furman University generally make around $36,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Furman University admits about 43% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.