20 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs
| # | School | Net Price | Program Earnings | In-State Tuition | Graduation Rate | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
University of South Carolina Aiken
Aiken, South Carolina
|
$11,611 | $60,689 | $10,760 | 40.1% | 75.6% |
| 2 |
Coastal Carolina University
Conway, South Carolina
|
$13,742 | $65,750 | $11,640 | 50.8% | 78.6% |
| 3 |
Francis Marion University
Florence, South Carolina
|
$13,451 | $58,866 | $11,160 | 42.7% | 82.9% |
| 4 |
University of South Carolina-Upstate
Spartanburg, South Carolina
|
$13,725 | $57,512 | $11,583 | 42.4% | 78.6% |
| 5 |
Lander University
Greenwood, South Carolina
|
$14,501 | $56,189 | $11,700 | 48.8% | 67.4% |
| 6 |
University of South Carolina Beaufort
Bluffton, South Carolina
|
$15,309 | $57,318 | $10,730 | 38.6% | 80.0% |
| 7 |
Bob Jones University
Greenville, South Carolina
|
$17,529 | $60,240 | $23,400 | 69.6% | |
| 8 |
South University-Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina
|
$22,886 | $66,883 | $18,238 | ||
| 9 |
Newberry College
Newberry, South Carolina
|
$20,351 | $56,415 | $30,050 | 44.4% | 75.3% |
| 10 |
Clemson University
Clemson, South Carolina
|
$22,112 | $57,874 | $15,554 | 87.9% | 43.0% |
| 11 |
Charleston Southern University
Charleston, South Carolina
|
$21,955 | $56,867 | $31,030 | 48.6% | 86.8% |
| 12 |
University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina
|
$24,532 | $60,405 | $12,688 | 77.7% | 64.1% |
| 13 |
Anderson University
Anderson, South Carolina
|
$28,183 | $57,657 | $33,580 | 71.0% | 45.4% |
| 14 |
Limestone University
Gaffney, South Carolina
|
$20,415 | $27,500 | 27.6% | 89.5% | |
| 15 |
Columbia College
Columbia, South Carolina
|
$23,650 | $21,450 | 53.5% | 98.1% | |
| 16 |
Claflin University
Orangeburg, South Carolina
|
$21,232 | $17,046 | 49.1% | 78.0% | |
| 17 |
University of South Carolina-Lancaster
Lancaster, South Carolina
|
$9,735 | $7,558 | 29.5% | 76.2% | |
| 18 |
Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
|
$21,002 | $12,570 | 72.8% | 98.6% | |
| 19 |
South Carolina State University
Orangeburg, South Carolina
|
$18,268 | $11,060 | 29.4% | 83.9% | |
| 20 |
Southern Wesleyan University
Central, South Carolina
|
$19,968 | $27,870 | 52.0% | 51.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing program offers the best return on investment in South Carolina?
University of South Carolina Aiken provides strong value with graduates earning $60,689 annually against a net price of just $11,611. Coastal Carolina University also delivers strong returns, with graduates earning $65,750 while paying $13,742 in net costs. Both public institutions significantly outperform many private alternatives in cost-to-earnings ratios.
How much more do graduates from the highest-earning program make compared to the lowest?
South University-Columbia graduates earn $66,883 annually, while Lander University graduates average $56,189, creating a $10,694 difference. This gap often reflects specialization opportunities and geographic factors, as Columbia's location provides access to state government health facilities and major medical centers. The earnings premium can justify higher program costs for students targeting administrative or research roles.
Is there a significant cost difference between public and private nursing programs?
Public programs average significantly lower costs, with net prices ranging from $11,611 to $24,532. Private institutions like Anderson University charge $28,183, while Bob Jones University costs $17,529, showing variation even within the private sector. The LIFE Scholarship can reduce costs further for qualifying South Carolina residents at public institutions.
Does program selectivity correlate with graduate outcomes in South Carolina nursing?
Clemson University maintains the lowest acceptance rate at 42.98% and achieves an 87.90% graduation rate, suggesting selectivity can indicate program rigor. However, University of South Carolina Aiken accepts 75.62% of applicants while still producing graduates who earn $60,689 annually. This shows that accessible programs can deliver strong career outcomes without extreme selectivity.
Where do nursing graduates find the best job opportunities in South Carolina?
Charleston and Columbia offer the strongest job markets, with major health systems like MUSC Health and Prisma Health providing opportunities in administration and clinical research. The state's growing medical tourism industry along the coast creates demand for specialized nursing roles. Graduates from programs near these metropolitan areas often see higher starting salaries and faster career advancement.
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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.