College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2024 Best Schools for the Money (No Aid) in South Carolina

44 Colleges
$10,083 Avg Undergrad Tuition & Fees*
$9,635 Avg Room & Board*

With all of the options you have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take when you want to pursue a degree. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our Best Colleges for the Money in South Carolina ranking is part of that endeavor.

In This Year's Value Report:

Choosing the Best School for You

We analyzed 44 schools across South Carolina to determine which have the best value programs. Our ranking methodology focuses on different objective factors to make this determination of the best value schools. More specifically, the following explains what we consider and why.

Our Methodology

To determine the value of a school in our Best Colleges for the Money in South Carolina ranking, we first add average tuition, fees, and room and board costs (without aid) together. In addition, the overall quality of a school is important to ensure a good education, not just how much it costs.

To make it into this list a school must offer a quality education like the schools in our Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considers factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.

To learn more, visit our best value ranking methodology page.

Additional Rankings

You can scroll down to see the top schools for this ranking, but you may also want to view some of the other ranking methods listed below.

With Aid (All Income Levels) Best Value Degrees
With Aid (Income $0-$30k) Best Value Degrees
With Aid (Income $30-$48k) Best Value Degrees
With Aid (Income $48-$75k) Best Value Degrees
With Aid (Income $75-$110k) Best Value Degrees
With Aid (Income Over $110k) Best Value Degrees
To get a better picture of the best value schools for your income range or for whether or not you'll receive aid, click on one of the tiles above. Are you more interested in the best value schools in your area? Try narrowing this list by location. In addition, we've put together a number of other college rankings that may help you in your search.

Know what field you want to major in? Make sure you check out our best value schools by major. In addition, you can select one of the links below to see the best value colleges for other degree levels.

Best Value Schools (No Aid) in South Carolina

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

1

University of South Carolina - Columbia tops this year’s ranking as the best value (no aid) school in South Carolina for overall quality. Columbia, South Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. It is a public school.

University of South Carolina - Columbia has the honor of being ranked #3 in South Carolina for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $23,678 a year. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $25,124 a year.

Read full value report on University of South Carolina - Columbia

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Citadel Military College of South Carolina. It ranked #2 on our 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in South Carolina list. The Citadel is located in Charleston, South Carolina and has a small student population. It is a public school.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Citadel Military College of South Carolina is ranked #5 for quality in the state of South Carolina. The average cost without aid for the school is $20,163 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $18,483 per year for graduate students.

Read full value report on Citadel Military College of South Carolina

3
Clemson crest
Clemson University
Clemson, South Carolina

Out of the 44 schools in South Carolina that were part of this year’s ranking, Clemson University landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Clemson, South Carolina, the school is a large public institution.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Clemson University is ranked #1 for quality in the state of South Carolina. The average cost without aid for the school is $27,792 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $24,030 per year for graduate students.

Read full value report on Clemson University

4
Trident Technical College crest
Trident Technical College
Charleston, South Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Trident Technical College. It ranked #4 on our 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in South Carolina list. Trident Technical College is located in Charleston, South Carolina and has a fairly large student population. It is a public school.

Trident Technical College has the honor of being ranked #8 in South Carolina for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost without aid for the school is $13,303 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $8,160 per year for graduate students.

Full Trident Technical College Value Report

5
CIU crest
Columbia International University
Columbia, South Carolina

The quality degree programs at Columbia International University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of Best Colleges for the Money in South Carolina. CIU is located in Columbia, South Carolina and has a small student population. It is a private not-for-profit school.

Not only is Columbia International University a great value, but it is also ranked #2 in South Carolina for overall quality. The average cost without aid for the school is $34,540 a year for undergraduates. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $20,760 a year.

Learn More About Value at Columbia International University

6
GTC crest
Greenville Technical College
Greenville, South Carolina

Greenville Technical College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money in South Carolina list. Greenville, South Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. It is a public school.

Greenville Technical College has the honor of being ranked #10 in South Carolina for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $15,617 a year. The average cost without aid for the school is $10,431 per year for graduate students.

Full Greenville Technical College Value Report

7
OCtech crest
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College
Orangeburg, South Carolina

Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College landed the #7 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in South Carolina ranking. Located in Orangeburg, South Carolina, the school is a small public institution.

Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College has the honor of being ranked #22 in South Carolina for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost without aid for the school is $10,714 a year for undergraduates. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $5,000 a year.

Read full value report on Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College

8
MTC crest
Midlands Technical College
West Columbia, South Carolina

Midlands Technical College landed the #8 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in South Carolina ranking. Located in West Columbia, South Carolina, the school is a medium-sized public institution.

Not only is Midlands Technical College a great value, but it is also ranked #20 in South Carolina for overall quality. The average cost without aid for the school is $13,708 a year for undergraduates. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $7,792 a year.

Read full value report on Midlands Technical College

9
Florence-Darlington Technical College crest
Florence-Darlington Technical College
Florence, South Carolina

Florence-Darlington Technical College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money in South Carolina ranking. This small public school is located in Florence, South Carolina.

Not only is Florence-Darlington Technical College a great value, but it is also ranked #27 in South Carolina for overall quality. The average cost without aid for the school is $11,008 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $6,138 per year for graduate students.

Read full value report on Florence-Darlington Technical College

10
Aiken Technical College crest
Aiken Technical College
Graniteville, South Carolina

With a ranking of #10, Aiken Technical College did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in South Carolina list. This small public school is located in Graniteville, South Carolina.

Aiken Technical College has the honor of being ranked #29 in South Carolina for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost without aid for the school is $12,056 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $6,750 per year for graduate students.

Full Aiken Technical College Value Report

11
C of C crest
College of Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina

College of Charleston came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money in South Carolina ranking. Charleston, South Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. It is a public school.

College of Charleston has the honor of being ranked #7 in South Carolina for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost without aid for the school is $25,937 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $27,189 per year for graduate students.

Learn More About Value at College of Charleston

12
York Technical College crest
York Technical College
Rock Hill, South Carolina

York Technical College did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in South Carolina ranking, coming in at #12. York Technical College is a public institution located in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

York Technical College has the honor of being ranked #25 in South Carolina for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost without aid for the school is $14,410 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $9,000 per year for graduate students.

Learn More About Value at York Technical College

13
TCL crest
Technical College of the Lowcountry
Beaufort, South Carolina

Technical College of the Lowcountry did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in South Carolina ranking, coming in at #13. TCL is located in Beaufort, South Carolina and has a small student population. It is a public school.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Technical College of the Lowcountry is ranked #34 for quality in the state of South Carolina. The average cost without aid for the school is $12,340 a year for undergraduates. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $6,600 a year.

Full Technical College of the Lowcountry Value Report

14
TCTC crest
Tri-County Technical College
Pendleton, South Carolina

With a ranking of #14, Tri-County Technical College did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in South Carolina list. Located in Pendleton, South Carolina, the school is a medium-sized public institution.

Tri-County Technical College has the honor of being ranked #26 in South Carolina for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $14,840 a year. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $9,000 a year.

Full Tri-County Technical College Value Report

15
Coastal Carolina University crest
Coastal Carolina University
Conway, South Carolina

With a ranking of #15, Coastal Carolina University did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in South Carolina list. Coastal Carolina University is a fairly large public school located in Conway, South Carolina.

Coastal Carolina University has the honor of being ranked #16 in South Carolina for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost without aid for the school is $21,672 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $20,796 per year for graduate students.

Learn More About Value at Coastal Carolina University

16
Columbia College South Carolina crest
Columbia College
Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia College landed the #16 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in South Carolina ranking. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Columbia, South Carolina.

Columbia College has the honor of being ranked #13 in South Carolina for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost without aid for the school is $26,538 a year for undergraduates. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $17,588 a year.

Read full value report on Columbia College

17
USC Upstate crest
University of South Carolina - Upstate
Spartanburg, South Carolina

With a ranking of #17, University of South Carolina - Upstate did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in South Carolina list. This medium-sized public school is located in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Not only is University of South Carolina - Upstate a great value, but it is also ranked #21 in South Carolina for overall quality. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $20,911 a year. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $23,437 a year.

Full University of South Carolina - Upstate Value Report

18
Central Carolina crest
Central Carolina Technical College
Sumter, South Carolina

Central Carolina Technical College landed the #18 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in South Carolina ranking. Central Carolina is located in Sumter, South Carolina and has a small student population. It is a public school.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Central Carolina Technical College is ranked #37 for quality in the state of South Carolina. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $13,055 a year. The average cost without aid for the school is $6,461 per year for graduate students.

Full Central Carolina Technical College Value Report

19
Piedmont Technical College crest
Piedmont Technical College
Greenwood, South Carolina

Piedmont Technical College did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in South Carolina ranking, coming in at #19. Piedmont Technical College is a small public school located in Greenwood, South Carolina.

Piedmont Technical College has the honor of being ranked #30 in South Carolina for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost without aid for the school is $18,572 a year for undergraduates. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $13,257 a year.

Read full value report on Piedmont Technical College

20
Winthrop crest
Winthrop University
Rock Hill, South Carolina

Winthrop University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money in South Carolina ranking. Winthrop University is a medium-sized public school located in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Not only is Winthrop University a great value, but it is also ranked #12 in South Carolina for overall quality. The average cost without aid for the school is $26,046 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $26,212 per year for graduate students.

Read full value report on Winthrop University

21
Spartanburg Community College crest
Spartanburg Community College
Spartanburg, South Carolina

With a ranking of #21, Spartanburg Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in South Carolina list. Spartanburg Community College is located in Spartanburg, South Carolina and has a medium-sized student population. It is a public school.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Spartanburg Community College is ranked #32 for quality in the state of South Carolina. The average cost without aid for the school is $18,540 a year for undergraduates. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $12,510 a year.

Learn More About Value at Spartanburg Community College

22
Bob Jones University crest
Bob Jones University
Greenville, South Carolina

Bob Jones University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money in South Carolina ranking. Bob Jones University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Greenville, South Carolina.

Not only is Bob Jones University a great value, but it is also ranked #11 in South Carolina for overall quality. The average cost without aid for the school is $29,642 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $18,983 per year for graduate students.

Learn More About Value at Bob Jones University

23

With a ranking of #23, University of South Carolina - Aiken did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in South Carolina list. Located in Aiken, South Carolina, the school is a small public institution.

Not only is University of South Carolina - Aiken a great value, but it is also ranked #31 in South Carolina for overall quality. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $18,962 a year. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $22,298 a year.

Learn More About Value at University of South Carolina - Aiken

24
Francis Marion University crest
Francis Marion University
Florence, South Carolina

Francis Marion University did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in South Carolina ranking, coming in at #24. Florence, South Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. It is a public school.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Francis Marion University is ranked #33 for quality in the state of South Carolina. The average cost without aid for the school is $19,390 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $19,618 per year for graduate students.

Read full value report on Francis Marion University

25
Horry-Georgetown Technical College crest
Horry-Georgetown Technical College
Conway, South Carolina

Horry-Georgetown Technical College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money in South Carolina ranking. Horry-Georgetown Technical College is a medium-sized public school located in Conway, South Carolina.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Horry-Georgetown Technical College is ranked #38 for quality in the state of South Carolina. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $14,596 a year. The average cost without aid for the school is $9,240 per year for graduate students.

Read full value report on Horry-Georgetown Technical College

View Best Value Schools (No Aid) Nationwide >

All Majors and Fields of Study >

More Rankings >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options