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Best Value Chemistry Colleges in South Carolina

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Chemistry graduates from South Carolina colleges earn between $32,284 and $40,485, with Wofford College delivering the highest returns at $40,485 despite its $28,984 net cost. Public universities dominate the value equation, with USC Aiken offering the lowest net price at $11,611 while USC Columbia graduates earn $39,585. The state's automotive manufacturing sector, anchored by BMW and Volvo plants, creates demand for chemistry professionals in materials testing, quality control, and research roles. Clemson stands out with an 87.90% graduation rate, nearly double that of most regional competitors. The LIFE Scholarship provides up to $5,000 for qualifying South Carolina residents, making public options even more attractive. Net costs across the 15 programs range from $11,611 to $29,997, while graduation rates vary dramatically from 27.60% at Limestone to 87.90% at Clemson. Private colleges like Furman command premium prices at $29,997 net cost but deliver strong outcomes with an 81.50% graduation rate.
26
Programs
$11,081 – $29,997
Net Price Range
$37,771
Avg. Program Earnings
52.0%
Avg. Graduation Rate

26 Chemistry Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $16,353 $40,368 $15,956 61.2% 69.8%
2 $19,518 $32,284 $12,978 65.0% 75.7%
3 $22,112 $36,132 $15,554 87.9% 43.0%
4 $24,532 $39,585 $12,688 77.7% 64.1%
5 $28,984 $40,485 $54,100 80.8% 60.2%
6 $13,451 $11,160 42.7% 82.9%
7 $13,725 $11,583 42.4% 78.6%
8 $18,268 $11,060 29.4% 83.9%
9 $13,742 $11,640 50.8% 78.6%
10 $11,611 $10,760 40.1% 75.6%
11 $20,899 $43,300 61.9% 59.4%
12 $20,351 $30,050 44.4% 75.3%
13 $20,415 $27,500 27.6% 89.5%
14 $14,501 $11,700 48.8% 67.4%
15 $29,997 $58,312 81.5% 67.0%
16 $11,081 $14,304 13.2% 43.4%
17 $22,018 $36,710 48.6% 53.3%
18 $19,712 $23,096 47.1% 55.6%
19 $23,650 $21,450 53.5% 98.1%
20 $18,045 $31,854 34.6% 94.1%
21 $21,232 $17,046 49.1% 78.0%
22 $21,002 $12,570 72.8% 98.6%
23 $19,968 $27,870 52.0% 51.2%
24 $17,529 $23,400 69.6%
25 $17,781 $18,000 21.1% 67.8%
26 $21,955 $31,030 48.6% 86.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Winthrop University such a strong value for chemistry majors?

Winthrop graduates earn $40,368, the second-highest among all South Carolina chemistry programs, while maintaining a relatively modest $16,353 net cost. The university achieves a 61.20% graduation rate with 69.76% acceptance rate, striking a balance between selectivity and accessibility. Students graduate with $25,739 in debt, which is manageable given the strong earning potential.

How do public and private chemistry programs compare in cost and outcomes?

Public universities offer net costs ranging from $11,611 to $24,532, while private colleges span $20,351 to $29,997. USC Columbia delivers the best public value with $39,585 graduate earnings at $24,532 net cost. Private institutions like Wofford and Furman command premium prices but also achieve graduation rates above 80%, significantly higher than most public alternatives.

Does the LIFE Scholarship significantly impact chemistry program affordability?

The LIFE Scholarship covers up to $5,000 annually for qualifying South Carolina residents, reducing effective costs at public institutions. This makes programs like USC Aiken even more attractive at just $6,611 net cost after the scholarship. In-state tuition at public universities already ranges from $10,760 to $15,956, making the scholarship particularly impactful for middle-income families.

Where do South Carolina chemistry graduates find employment opportunities?

The state's automotive sector, including BMW's Spartanburg facility and Volvo's Charleston plant, employs chemists in materials engineering and quality assurance roles. Tourism and aerospace industries also create demand for analytical chemists and environmental specialists. Graduate earnings ranging from $32,284 to $40,485 reflect these regional opportunities, with higher salaries typically found near major manufacturing centers.

What graduation rate differences exist among chemistry programs?

Graduation rates vary dramatically from 27.60% at Limestone University to 87.90% at Clemson University, a 60-percentage-point gap. Furman achieves 81.50% while Wofford reaches 80.80%, demonstrating that private colleges often maintain higher completion rates. Public universities show mixed results, with USC Columbia at 77.70% and USC Aiken at just 40.10%, suggesting institutional support varies significantly.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.