The Best South Carolina Colleges

The Best Colleges in South Carolina for 2025

These are the top ranked public and private four-year colleges in South Carolina as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the list for 2025 as the best overall college in South Carolina is Furman University. The top rated public state college is Clemson University. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
South Carolina Public Private 4 year

27 results

Charleston Southern University
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Charleston, SC

Charleston Southern University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 3,545enrollment
  • $21,347net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 950-1160SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.24Estimated Avg GPA

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University of South Carolina Beaufort
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Bluffton, SC

University of South Carolina Beaufort

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 2,121enrollment
  • $15,781net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 940-1110SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

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Newberry College
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Newberry, SC

Newberry College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,507enrollment
  • $20,941net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 820-1060SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

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Coker College
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Hartsville, SC

Coker College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,263enrollment
  • $18,910net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 940-1160SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.1Estimated Avg GPA

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Lander University
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Greenwood, SC

Lander University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 4,363enrollment
  • $14,657net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

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Claflin University
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HBCU
Orangeburg, SC

Claflin University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,835enrollment
  • $21,232net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 840-1040SAT range
  • 16-18ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA

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South Carolina State University
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HBCU
Orangeburg, SC

South Carolina State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 3,041enrollment
  • $17,928net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 800-1050SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.17Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 31

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Benedict College
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HBCU
Columbia, SC
 

Benedict College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,731enrollment
  • $18,146net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 820-1010SAT range
  • 14-19ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Southern Wesleyan University
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S
Central, SC
 

Southern Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,188enrollment
  • $20,336net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

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