Cheapest Public Health Colleges in South Carolina

Public health education in South Carolina spans a dramatic cost spectrum, with Coastal Carolina University offering the state's most affordable program at just $13,742 net cost while Furman University reaches $29,997. This $16,000 gap reflects the divide between public institutions and private colleges, though earnings potential remains relatively flat across programs, ranging from $30,437 to $31,495. The state's expanding healthcare infrastructure, bolstered by major hospital systems like MUSC Health and Prisma Health, creates steady demand for public health professionals. South Carolina's LIFE Scholarship provides up to $5,000 annually for qualifying in-state students, making already affordable public options even more accessible.

Programs

$13,742 – $29,997

Net Price Range

$30,849

Avg. Program Earnings

55.0%

Avg. Graduation Rate

13 Public Health Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Coastal Carolina University Conway, South Carolina	$13,742	$11,640	50.8%	78.6%
2	Lander University Greenwood, South Carolina	$14,501	$11,700	48.8%	67.4%
3	University of South Carolina Beaufort Bluffton, South Carolina	$15,309	$10,730	38.6%	80.0%
4	Voorhees University Denmark, South Carolina	$15,411	$12,630	37.8%
5	Benedict College Columbia, South Carolina	$17,781	$18,000	21.1%	67.8%
6	College of Charleston Charleston, South Carolina	$19,518	$12,978	65.0%	75.7%
7	Columbia International University Columbia, South Carolina	$21,660	$27,900	65.5%	48.2%
8	Charleston Southern University Charleston, South Carolina	$21,955	$31,030	48.6%	86.8%
9	South University-Columbia Columbia, South Carolina	$22,886	$18,238
10	Columbia College Columbia, South Carolina	$23,650	$21,450	53.5%	98.1%
11	University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia, South Carolina	$24,532	$12,688	77.7%	64.1%
12	Anderson University Anderson, South Carolina	$28,183	$33,580	71.0%	45.4%
13	Furman University Greenville, South Carolina	$29,997	$58,312	81.5%	67.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Coastal Carolina University the most affordable public health option?

Coastal Carolina achieves the lowest net cost at $13,742 through a combination of in-state tuition of $11,640 and substantial financial aid packages. The university maintains a 78.63% acceptance rate while delivering graduates who earn $30,616 annually, making it both accessible and financially practical.

How do graduation rates vary among South Carolina's cheapest public health programs?

Graduation rates show significant variation, from Benedict College's concerning 21.10% to Columbia International University's strong 65.50%. Public institutions like College of Charleston achieve 65% graduation rates while maintaining lower costs than most private alternatives.

Is the earnings gap between programs worth the cost difference?

The earnings range spans only $1,058, from $30,437 at USC-Columbia to $31,495 at College of Charleston. This narrow gap suggests that choosing the most affordable program over expensive alternatives rarely justifies the additional debt burden.

Does debt load correlate with program cost in South Carolina?

Student debt patterns reveal interesting outliers, with expensive Benedict College graduates carrying $36,755 in debt despite moderate net costs. In contrast, USC-Columbia students graduate with just $21,500 in debt while attending a well-regarded flagship institution.

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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.