Cheapest Political Science and Government Colleges in South Carolina

Political science programs across South Carolina show stark cost differences, with University of South Carolina Aiken offering the lowest net price at $11,611 while private options stretch up to $20,612. Public universities dominate the affordable end, though they produce vastly different outcomes. Francis Marion University graduates earn $28,598 annually while Winthrop University graduates start at just $19,227 despite costing $5,000 more. The state's expanding automotive sector and aerospace industry create government relations opportunities, particularly around BMW's Spartanburg operations and Boeing's Charleston facilities. South Carolina's LIFE Scholarship program provides up to $5,000 for qualifying in-state students, making already affordable public programs even more accessible. Graduate debt loads remain reasonable across most programs, typically ranging from $24,000 to $27,000. Political science students benefit from the state's position as a key primary state, providing hands-on campaign experience and direct access to political processes.

Programs

$11,611 – $29,997

Net Price Range

$29,885

Avg. Program Earnings

54.1%

Avg. Graduation Rate

26 Political Science and Government Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of South Carolina Aiken Aiken, South Carolina	$11,611	$10,760	40.1%	75.6%
2	Francis Marion University Florence, South Carolina	$13,451	$11,160	42.7%	82.9%
3	University of South Carolina-Upstate Spartanburg, South Carolina	$13,725	$11,583	42.4%	78.6%
4	Coastal Carolina University Conway, South Carolina	$13,742	$11,640	50.8%	78.6%
5	Lander University Greenwood, South Carolina	$14,501	$11,700	48.8%	67.4%
6	Winthrop University Rock Hill, South Carolina	$16,353	$15,956	61.2%	69.8%
7	Bob Jones University Greenville, South Carolina	$17,529	$23,400	69.6%
8	Benedict College Columbia, South Carolina	$17,781	$18,000	21.1%	67.8%
9	Coker University Hartsville, South Carolina	$18,045	$31,854	34.6%	94.1%
10	South Carolina State University Orangeburg, South Carolina	$18,268	$11,060	29.4%	83.9%
11	College of Charleston Charleston, South Carolina	$19,518	$12,978	65.0%	75.7%
12	Converse University Spartanburg, South Carolina	$19,712	$23,096	47.1%	55.6%
13	Newberry College Newberry, South Carolina	$20,351	$30,050	44.4%	75.3%
14	Morris College Sumter, South Carolina	$20,375	$16,224	20.4%
15	North Greenville University Tigerville, South Carolina	$20,612	$24,650	54.9%	76.1%
16	Presbyterian College Clinton, South Carolina	$20,899	$43,300	61.9%	59.4%
17	Citadel Military College of South Carolina Charleston, South Carolina	$21,002	$12,570	72.8%	98.6%
18	Claflin University Orangeburg, South Carolina	$21,232	$17,046	49.1%	78.0%
19	Charleston Southern University Charleston, South Carolina	$21,955	$31,030	48.6%	86.8%
20	Erskine College Due West, South Carolina	$22,018	$36,710	48.6%	53.3%
21	Clemson University Clemson, South Carolina	$22,112	$15,554	87.9%	43.0%
22	Columbia College Columbia, South Carolina	$23,650	$21,450	53.5%	98.1%
23	University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia, South Carolina	$24,532	$12,688	77.7%	64.1%
24	Anderson University Anderson, South Carolina	$28,183	$33,580	71.0%	45.4%
25	Wofford College Spartanburg, South Carolina	$28,984	$54,100	80.8%	60.2%
26	Furman University Greenville, South Carolina	$29,997	$58,312	81.5%	67.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $8,000 cost gap between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

Public universities like USC Aiken charge $11,611 net price while private schools like North Greenville reach $20,612. In-state tuition keeps public options affordable, with most charging around $11,000-$12,000 before aid. Private institutions offset higher sticker prices with substantial financial aid packages. The LIFE Scholarship further reduces costs for qualifying South Carolina residents by up to $5,000 annually.

How do graduation rates vary among affordable political science programs?

Graduation rates span from 20.4% at Morris College to 69.6% at Bob Jones University among affordable options. Public universities show mixed results, with College of Charleston achieving 65% while South Carolina State manages only 29.4%. Mid-tier private schools like Newberry College and Coker University hover around 44% graduation rates. Benedict College's 21.1% rate stands as the lowest among all programs despite reasonable costs.

Is earning potential worth the cost differences between schools?

Coastal Carolina delivers the strongest return with $34,704 average earnings against $13,742 net cost. Francis Marion and USC-Upstate both produce graduates earning around $28,000 annually at similar price points. Winthrop presents a concerning case with $19,227 earnings despite $16,353 net cost. College of Charleston graduates earn $30,988, justifying its higher $19,518 price tag among public options.

Does South Carolina's political market benefit political science students?

South Carolina's early primary status provides direct campaign experience opportunities every four years. The state capitol in Columbia houses numerous government internship positions within reach of multiple universities. Growing corporate presence from BMW, Boeing, and Volvo creates government relations career paths. Tourism and hospitality sectors also require policy expertise as the state balances economic growth with environmental concerns.

Where do acceptance rates create the most competitive admission processes?

Converse University maintains the most selective process at 55.57% acceptance rate among affordable options. Most public universities accept 75-83% of applicants, making admission relatively accessible. Coker University accepts 94.08% of applicants, offering the easiest entry point. Bob Jones University provides no acceptance rate data, suggesting either very selective or unique admission criteria beyond standard metrics.

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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.