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Cheapest Registered Nursing Colleges in South Carolina

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

University of South Carolina-Lancaster stands out among South Carolina nursing programs with a net price of just $9,735, nearly $2,000 below the next most affordable option. This dramatic cost advantage comes at a time when the state's growing healthcare sector, fueled by an aging population and expanding medical facilities in cities like Charleston and Greenville, creates strong demand for nursing professionals. The price gap between public and private institutions reaches significant proportions, with some private colleges charging net prices above $21,000 compared to public options often below $15,000. South Carolina's LIFE Scholarship provides up to $5,000 for qualifying in-state students, making these already affordable programs even more accessible. Graduates from these programs earn between $56,189 and $66,883, with coastal institutions like Coastal Carolina University showing particularly strong outcomes at $65,750 in median earnings. The state's nursing programs benefit from clinical partnerships with major healthcare systems including MUSC Health and Prisma Health, providing students with hands-on experience in settings ranging from rural community hospitals to urban medical centers serving the state's automotive and aerospace workforce.
20
Programs
$9,735 – $28,183
Net Price Range
$59,436
Avg. Program Earnings
51.4%
Avg. Graduation Rate

20 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $9,735 $7,558 29.5% 76.2%
2 $11,611 $10,760 40.1% 75.6%
3 $13,451 $11,160 42.7% 82.9%
4 $13,725 $11,583 42.4% 78.6%
5 $13,742 $11,640 50.8% 78.6%
6 $14,501 $11,700 48.8% 67.4%
7 $15,309 $10,730 38.6% 80.0%
8 $17,529 $23,400 69.6%
9 $18,268 $11,060 29.4% 83.9%
10 $19,968 $27,870 52.0% 51.2%
11 $20,351 $30,050 44.4% 75.3%
12 $20,415 $27,500 27.6% 89.5%
13 $21,002 $12,570 72.8% 98.6%
14 $21,232 $17,046 49.1% 78.0%
15 $21,955 $31,030 48.6% 86.8%
16 $22,112 $15,554 87.9% 43.0%
17 $22,886 $18,238
18 $23,650 $21,450 53.5% 98.1%
19 $24,532 $12,688 77.7% 64.1%
20 $28,183 $33,580 71.0% 45.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of South Carolina-Lancaster the most affordable nursing option?

USC-Lancaster offers the lowest net price at $9,735, with in-state tuition of just $7,558. The campus serves as a regional center for nursing education in the Lancaster area. Students benefit from USC's established clinical partnerships while paying significantly less than flagship campus rates. The 29.5% graduation rate reflects the program's accessibility to students from various academic backgrounds.

How do earnings vary among South Carolina nursing graduates?

Nursing graduates earn between $56,189 and $66,883 across different institutions. Coastal Carolina University graduates command the highest median salary at $65,750, likely reflecting the coastal region's competitive healthcare market. Francis Marion University graduates earn $58,866, while Lander University shows the lowest earnings at $56,189. These salary ranges reflect regional economic differences and specialization opportunities.

Is there a significant cost difference between public and private nursing programs?

Public institutions average around $13,000 in net costs, while private colleges range from $17,529 to over $21,000. Bob Jones University offers the most affordable private option at $17,529 net price. The gap narrows when considering in-state tuition rates, which range from $7,558 at USC-Lancaster to $12,570 at The Citadel. Private colleges often provide smaller class sizes but at substantially higher costs.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in South Carolina nursing schools?

The data reveals mixed patterns between cost and completion rates. The Citadel shows the highest graduation rate at 72.8% despite moderate costs around $21,000. Bob Jones University achieves 69.6% completion at $17,529 net price. Meanwhile, some lower-cost public options like USC-Lancaster and South Carolina State show graduation rates below 30%. Higher-priced programs tend to have more support services affecting retention.

Where do nursing students find the best value considering both cost and outcomes?

USC Aiken offers strong value with a $11,611 net price and $60,689 graduate earnings, representing solid return on investment. Coastal Carolina provides the highest earnings at $65,750 for a $13,742 investment, though graduation rates reach 50.8%. USC Upstate combines reasonable costs at $13,725 with relatively low debt levels of $18,000. Students should weigh immediate affordability against long-term earning potential when choosing programs.

More Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Rankings

Best Value Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in South Carolina Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Under $20,000 in South Carolina

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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.