Best Value Economics Colleges in South Carolina

Francis Marion University delivers the state's most affordable Economics education at $13,451 net cost, while Furman University graduates earn $57,318 annually, creating an 18,000-dollar earnings gap among South Carolina programs. This range reflects the state's economic growth, particularly in automotive manufacturing where BMW and Volvo have established major operations requiring economic analysis expertise. Public universities like Clemson and USC offer strong value propositions with net costs under $25,000, while the LIFE Scholarship provides up to $5,000 for qualifying in-state students. With 13 programs ranging from $13,451 to $29,997 in net costs, students can find Economics training that matches both budget constraints and career earnings expectations in South Carolina's expanding job market.

Programs

$13,451 – $29,997

Net Price Range

$43,149

Avg. Program Earnings

60.5%

Avg. Graduation Rate

13 Economics Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	College of Charleston Charleston, South Carolina	$19,518	$41,937	$12,978	65.0%	75.7%
2	Furman University Greenville, South Carolina	$29,997	$57,318	$58,312	81.5%	67.0%
3	Clemson University Clemson, South Carolina	$22,112	$38,649	$15,554	87.9%	43.0%
4	University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia, South Carolina	$24,532	$39,369	$12,688	77.7%	64.1%
5	Wofford College Spartanburg, South Carolina	$28,984	$38,472	$54,100	80.8%	60.2%
6	Charleston Southern University Charleston, South Carolina	$21,955		$31,030	48.6%	86.8%
7	Benedict College Columbia, South Carolina	$17,781		$18,000	21.1%	67.8%
8	Converse University Spartanburg, South Carolina	$19,712		$23,096	47.1%	55.6%
9	Francis Marion University Florence, South Carolina	$13,451		$11,160	42.7%	82.9%
10	Presbyterian College Clinton, South Carolina	$20,899		$43,300	61.9%	59.4%
11	Coastal Carolina University Conway, South Carolina	$13,742		$11,640	50.8%	78.6%
12	Winthrop University Rock Hill, South Carolina	$16,353		$15,956	61.2%	69.8%
13	Strayer University-South Carolina Greenville, South Carolina	$22,134		$13,920

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the wide earnings gap between Economics graduates in South Carolina?

Furman University graduates earn $57,318 compared to Wofford's $38,472, a difference of nearly $19,000 annually. Private institutions like Furman often have stronger alumni networks and career services, while program focus areas like financial economics versus public policy can influence starting salaries.

How do public university costs compare for Economics students?

Francis Marion offers the lowest net cost at $13,451, while USC-Columbia reaches $24,532 despite having lower in-state tuition at $12,688. The 87.9% graduation rate at Clemson justifies its $22,112 net cost for many students seeking program completion assurance.

Is the LIFE Scholarship worth pursuing for Economics majors?

The LIFE Scholarship covers up to $5,000 annually for qualifying South Carolina residents, significantly reducing costs at public institutions. At Francis Marion, this could lower net costs to around $8,451, making it one of the most affordable Economics programs in the Southeast.

Where do graduation rates vary most among Economics programs?

Clemson leads with 87.9% graduation rate compared to Benedict College's 21.1%, a 66-point difference. Mid-tier options like College of Charleston (65%) and Winthrop (61.2%) offer balanced completion rates with moderate net costs under $20,000.

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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.