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Cheapest Civil Engineering Colleges in South Carolina

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Benedict College delivers the most affordable Civil Engineering education in South Carolina at $17,781 net cost, undercutting even public universities by thousands. The state's growing automotive sector, anchored by BMW's Spartanburg facility and Volvo's Charleston plant, creates strong demand for civil engineers who design the infrastructure supporting these manufacturers. Graduation rates span from 21% to 88% across the five programs, while earnings remain consistent between $58,919 and $60,325 regardless of institutional prestige.
5
Programs
$17,781 – $24,532
Net Price Range
$59,438
Avg. Program Earnings
57.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

5 Civil Engineering Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $17,781 $18,000 21.1% 67.8%
2 $18,268 $11,060 29.4% 83.9%
3 $21,002 $12,570 72.8% 98.6%
4 $22,112 $15,554 87.9% 43.0%
5 $24,532 $12,688 77.7% 64.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

How does private Benedict College cost less than public universities for Civil Engineering?

Benedict College's net price of $17,781 beats South Carolina State's $18,268 through generous financial aid packaging. While public schools offer lower sticker prices, Benedict's aid structure makes it the cheapest option after scholarships and grants.

What explains the massive graduation rate differences between these programs?

Clemson leads with an 87.9% graduation rate compared to Benedict's 21.1%, reflecting different student populations and academic support systems. The Citadel's military structure helps achieve a 72.8% rate, while USC Columbia maintains 77.7% despite serving a larger student body.

Does attending a more expensive program lead to higher Civil Engineering salaries?

Earnings remain remarkably similar across all programs, ranging from $58,919 to $60,325. USC Columbia graduates earn the highest at $60,325 despite the program costing $24,532, while Clemson graduates earn $58,919 from a $22,112 program.

More Civil Engineering Rankings

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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.