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NCAA Division I Colleges in South Carolina

11 schools in South Carolina. See our methodology.

The Citadel stands out among South Carolina's Division I colleges with the highest graduate earnings at $72,085 despite accepting 98.6% of applicants. This military college's unique approach contrasts sharply with Clemson University, where only 43% of students gain admission but 87.9% graduate within six years. Across all 11 schools, net costs range from $13,725 at USC Upstate to nearly $30,000 at private institutions like Furman and Wofford. The state's growing automotive sector, anchored by BMW and Volvo plants, creates strong demand for engineering and business graduates. South Carolina's LIFE Scholarship program provides up to $5,000 annually for qualifying students, helping offset costs at public universities where acceptance rates typically exceed 60%. The data reveals interesting patterns: smaller private colleges like Wofford (1,873 students) often achieve higher graduation rates than larger public universities, while coastal schools like Coastal Carolina maintain lower costs but face graduation rate challenges at 50.8%.
11
Schools
$20,926
Avg. Net Price
$56,998
Avg. Earnings
63.5%
Avg. Graduation Rate

NCAA Division I Colleges in South Carolina

College listings
# School Enrollment Net Price Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 22,778 $22,112 87.9% 43.0%
2 28,113 $24,532 77.7% 64.1%
3 2,624 $21,002 72.8% 98.6%
4 10,366 $19,518 65.0% 75.7%
5 1,873 $28,984 80.8% 60.2%
6 3,424 $16,353 61.2% 69.8%
7 2,322 $29,997 81.5% 67.0%
8 9,909 $13,742 50.8% 78.6%
9 4,008 $13,725 42.4% 78.6%
10 2,716 $21,955 48.6% 86.8%
11 2,757 $18,268 29.4% 83.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes The Citadel unique among South Carolina's Division I colleges?

The Citadel combines nearly universal acceptance (98.6% acceptance rate) with the highest graduate earnings in the state at $72,085. This military college enrolls 2,624 cadets and maintains a 72.8% graduation rate while preparing students for leadership roles in military and civilian careers.

How competitive is admission to South Carolina's top public universities?

Clemson University stands as the most selective, accepting only 43% of applicants, while USC Columbia accepts 64% with 28,113 enrolled students. Most other public institutions maintain acceptance rates above 75%, making higher education accessible to a broad range of students.

Is private college worth the extra cost in South Carolina?

Private colleges like Furman ($29,997) and Wofford ($28,984) cost roughly double the public options but deliver strong outcomes. Wofford graduates earn $68,964 annually with an 80.8% graduation rate, while Furman achieves 81.5% graduation rates among its 2,322 students.

Where can students find the most affordable Division I education?

USC Upstate offers the lowest net cost at $13,725, followed closely by Coastal Carolina at $13,742. However, graduation rates differ significantly: USC Upstate graduates 42.4% of students while Coastal Carolina achieves 50.8% completion rates among its 9,909 enrolled students.

How does South Carolina's LIFE Scholarship impact college costs?

The LIFE Scholarship provides up to $5,000 annually for qualifying South Carolina residents, significantly reducing costs at public universities. Combined with in-state tuition rates, this makes schools like USC Columbia and Clemson more accessible to local students pursuing degrees.

Related

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See our methodology for details on rankings and data sources.