Cheapest Sociology Colleges in South Carolina

University of South Carolina Aiken delivers the state's most affordable sociology education at just $11,611 net cost, nearly $2,000 less than the next cheapest option. This price advantage becomes even more striking when compared to private alternatives like Presbyterian College at $20,899, creating a $9,288 annual savings. South Carolina's growing automotive and aerospace industries increasingly value sociology graduates for their understanding of workplace dynamics and organizational behavior, particularly as companies like BMW and Volvo expand their regional operations. The state's public universities dominate the affordability market, with six of the seven cheapest programs housed in the public system. Graduates from these programs earn between $24,615 and $33,993, with College of Charleston sociology majors commanding the highest starting salaries at $32,162 despite the program's mid-range cost of $19,518.

Programs

$11,611 – $29,997

Net Price Range

$29,279

Avg. Program Earnings

50.7%

Avg. Graduation Rate

21 Sociology 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	University of South Carolina Beaufort Bluffton, South Carolina	$15,309	$10,730	38.6%	80.0%
7	Voorhees University Denmark, South Carolina	$15,411	$12,630	37.8%
8	Winthrop University Rock Hill, South Carolina	$16,353	$15,956	61.2%	69.8%
9	Benedict College Columbia, South Carolina	$17,781	$18,000	21.1%	67.8%
10	Coker University Hartsville, South Carolina	$18,045	$31,854	34.6%	94.1%
11	South Carolina State University Orangeburg, South Carolina	$18,268	$11,060	29.4%	83.9%
12	College of Charleston Charleston, South Carolina	$19,518	$12,978	65.0%	75.7%
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	Presbyterian College Clinton, South Carolina	$20,899	$43,300	61.9%	59.4%
16	Claflin University Orangeburg, South Carolina	$21,232	$17,046	49.1%	78.0%
17	Charleston Southern University Charleston, South Carolina	$21,955	$31,030	48.6%	86.8%
18	Clemson University Clemson, South Carolina	$22,112	$15,554	87.9%	43.0%
19	University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia, South Carolina	$24,532	$12,688	77.7%	64.1%
20	Wofford College Spartanburg, South Carolina	$28,984	$54,100	80.8%	60.2%
21	Furman University Greenville, South Carolina	$29,997	$58,312	81.5%	67.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of South Carolina Aiken the cheapest sociology program in the state?

USC Aiken offers the lowest net cost at $11,611 with an in-state tuition of just $10,760. The university maintains a 75.62% acceptance rate while producing graduates who earn $29,995 annually. With a 40.10% graduation rate and average debt load of $26,882, students receive solid value despite the modest completion numbers.

How do public and private sociology programs compare in cost?

Public universities dominate the affordable options, with six of the seven cheapest programs housed in the state system. The price gap reaches $9,288 between USC Aiken ($11,611) and Presbyterian College ($20,899). Even mid-tier public options like College of Charleston at $19,518 cost significantly less than most private alternatives while offering comparable or superior graduate outcomes.

Where do sociology graduates earn the highest starting salaries?

College of Charleston sociology graduates command the highest starting salaries at $32,162, followed closely by USC Upstate at $31,423. These earnings justify Charleston's higher cost of $19,518 compared to other public options. Coastal Carolina graduates also perform well at $31,818, making it an attractive mid-cost option at $13,742 net price.

Is the LIFE Scholarship available for sociology students?

The LIFE Scholarship provides up to $5,000 annually for qualifying South Carolina residents attending in-state institutions. This benefit applies to sociology majors at all public universities, effectively reducing costs further below the listed net prices. Students meeting academic requirements can combine this scholarship with other aid to minimize out-of-pocket expenses at already affordable public programs.

Does graduation rate affect the value of cheaper sociology programs?

Graduation rates vary significantly among affordable options, from 21.10% at Benedict College to 65% at College of Charleston. USC Aiken's 40.10% graduation rate falls below the state average despite its low cost, while Coastal Carolina achieves 50.80% completion at just $13,742. Students should weigh completion likelihood against upfront savings when choosing between programs.

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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.