Top Rated South Carolina Public Colleges

The Best Public Colleges in South Carolina for 2023

These are the top ranked public four-year colleges in South Carolina as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the rankings for 2023 as the best public college in South Carolina is Clemson University. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.


12 results

Clemson University
C
Clemson, SC

Clemson University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 27,341enrollment
  • $22,935net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1420SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.75Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

University of South Carolina Columbia
S
Columbia, SC

University of South Carolina Columbia

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 35,471enrollment
  • $21,784net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1360SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.69Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 1

Citadel Military College of South Carolina
C
Charleston, SC

Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 3,693enrollment
  • $17,920net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1210SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

College of Charleston
C
Charleston, SC

College of Charleston

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 10,941enrollment
  • $20,351net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1280SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.94Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

Winthrop University
W
Rock Hill, SC

Winthrop University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 5,174enrollment
  • $19,300net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1195SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Coastal Carolina University
C
Conway, SC

Coastal Carolina University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 10,473enrollment
  • $14,716net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1190SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

University of South Carolina Upstate
S
Spartanburg, SC
 

University of South Carolina Upstate

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 5,438enrollment
  • $15,074net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 2.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

University of South Carolina Aiken
S
Aiken, SC
 

University of South Carolina Aiken

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 3,869enrollment
  • $12,689net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 960-1170SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.19Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

Francis Marion University
F
Florence, SC

Francis Marion University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 3,923enrollment
  • $12,380net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 930-1120SAT range
  • 15-22ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

Lander University
L
Greenwood, SC

Lander University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 3,825enrollment
  • $15,541net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

University of South Carolina Beaufort
S
Bluffton, SC
 

University of South Carolina Beaufort

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 2,037enrollment
  • $16,748net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 940-1110SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

South Carolina State University
S
HBCU
Orangeburg, SC

South Carolina State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 2,374enrollment
  • $20,022net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 800-1050SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.17Avg GPA

Applications Due May 30