2026 Best Value Chemistry Schools in South Carolina

[Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong chemistry education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools to find the best return on investment for chemistry students.
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2026 Best Value Chemistry Schools in South Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in chemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Chemistry Schools
Lander University tops our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools in South Carolina. Lander University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Greenwood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,700, with out-of-state students paying around $21,300. Students borrow a median of $26,064 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Lander University generally make around $37,548. That is a strong return on a $26,064 median debt. Lander University admits about 81% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Charleston earned it the #2 place for chemistry. College Of Charleston is a large public school located in the city of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $12,978, compared with $38,296 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $27,000. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $39,208. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. College Of Charleston admits about 60% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Clemson University earned it the #3 place for chemistry. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $27,000. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $53,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of South Carolina Columbia one of the best values for chemistry. 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, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,046 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia generally make around $62,744. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wofford College earned it the #5 place for chemistry. Located in the city of Spartanburg, Wofford College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $56,005. Students borrow a median of $24,643 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Wofford College generally make around $41,052. Set against $24,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Furman University landed the #6 spot for chemistry value this year. Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Greenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,770. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $23,764 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Furman University generally make around $36,520. Set against $23,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
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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 · 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.