Cheapest Religion/Religious Studies Colleges in South Carolina

Allen University offers the lowest net price for Religion/Religious Studies at just $11,081, making faith-based education accessible in Columbia. The $18,916 gap between Allen's costs and Furman University's $29,997 net price reflects South Carolina's mix of historically black colleges and selective liberal arts institutions. Graduates from Charleston Southern University earn $31,848 annually, benefiting from the state's growing healthcare and social services sectors where religious studies backgrounds prove valuable in chaplaincy and counseling roles. Public universities like Coastal Carolina deliver strong value at $13,742 net cost with a 50.8% graduation rate. The state's 15 programs range from small denominational colleges to major research universities, with acceptance rates spanning from Clemson's competitive 43% to Columbia College's open 98% admission policy.

Programs

$11,081 – $29,997

Net Price Range

$25,366

Avg. Program Earnings

56.7%

Avg. Graduation Rate

15 Religion/Religious Studies Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Allen University Columbia, South Carolina	$11,081	$14,304	13.2%	43.4%
2	Coastal Carolina University Conway, South Carolina	$13,742	$11,640	50.8%	78.6%
3	Clinton College Rock Hill, South Carolina	$14,501	$10,516	11.1%
4	College of Charleston Charleston, South Carolina	$19,518	$12,978	65.0%	75.7%
5	Converse University Spartanburg, South Carolina	$19,712	$23,096	47.1%	55.6%
6	Southern Wesleyan University Central, South Carolina	$19,968	$27,870	52.0%	51.2%
7	Presbyterian College Clinton, South Carolina	$20,899	$43,300	61.9%	59.4%
8	Charleston Southern University Charleston, South Carolina	$21,955	$31,030	48.6%	86.8%
9	Erskine College Due West, South Carolina	$22,018	$36,710	48.6%	53.3%
10	Clemson University Clemson, South Carolina	$22,112	$15,554	87.9%	43.0%
11	Columbia College Columbia, South Carolina	$23,650	$21,450	53.5%	98.1%
12	University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia, South Carolina	$24,532	$12,688	77.7%	64.1%
13	Anderson University Anderson, South Carolina	$28,183	$33,580	71.0%	45.4%
14	Wofford College Spartanburg, South Carolina	$28,984	$54,100	80.8%	60.2%
15	Furman University Greenville, South Carolina	$29,997	$58,312	81.5%	67.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the massive cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

Allen University's $11,081 net price versus Furman's $29,997 reflects different institutional models and student populations. Allen, a historically black college, provides extensive financial aid to students with greater need, while Furman operates as a selective liberal arts college with higher sticker prices. The $18,916 spread also shows how public universities like Coastal Carolina ($13,742) and College of Charleston ($19,518) fall between these extremes.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in South Carolina?

Higher-priced programs generally show better completion rates, with Clemson leading at 87.9% graduation despite a $22,112 net cost. Furman and Wofford, both above $28,000 annually, maintain graduation rates above 80%. However, Allen University's 13.2% rate and Clinton College's 11.1% rate highlight retention challenges at the most affordable institutions, where students often face greater financial pressures.

Is earning potential strong for religious studies graduates in South Carolina?

Earnings data shows significant variation, with Furman graduates averaging $33,993 compared to Southern Wesleyan's $16,169. Charleston Southern graduates earn $31,848, reflecting opportunities in the state's healthcare systems and growing nonprofit sector. These figures align with South Carolina's expanding social services industry, where religious studies backgrounds support roles in hospital chaplaincy, community outreach, and counseling organizations throughout the state.

Does South Carolina offer good financial aid for religious studies students?

The state's LIFE Scholarship provides up to $5,000 annually for qualifying in-state students, significantly reducing costs at public institutions. College of Charleston's $12,978 in-state tuition drops to a $19,518 net price after aid, while USC-Columbia charges $12,688 before reaching a $24,532 net cost. Private colleges like Allen University demonstrate how institutional aid can create remarkably low net prices of $11,081 despite higher published rates.

More Religion/Religious Studies 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.