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2023 Best Nursing Schools in South Carolina

27 Schools Ranked
$37,273 Average Earnings
$23,819 Avg Student Debt

With all the nursing programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Also there are many trade schools and bpptcamp that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Nursing Degree Search has created its Best Nursing Schools in South Carolina ranking. Our analysis looked at 27 schools in South Carolina to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for nursing students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Nursing Schools in South Carolina

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Trident Technical College

Charleston, South Carolina
$33,465 Average Earnings
$23,521 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Trident Technical College the best school in South Carolina for nursing students working on their degree.

Degree recipients from Trident Technical College accumulate an average of $23,521 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Trident Technical College graduates make an average of $33,465 annually.

Full Trident Technical College Report

#2

Clemson University

Clemson, South Carolina
$47,889 Average Earnings
$22,627 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Clemson University is a great place for nursing students.

On average, students take out $22,627 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $375. Once they receive their degree, Clemson graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,889 during the early year of their career.

Full Clemson University Report

#3

University of South Carolina - Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina
$47,342 Average Earnings
$23,887 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at University of South Carolina - Columbia helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in South Carolina.

On average, students take out $23,887 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $403.After graduating from UofSC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,342 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

#4

Anderson University South Carolina

Anderson, South Carolina
$40,621 Average Earnings
$27,992 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at Anderson University South Carolina helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in South Carolina.

On average, students take out $27,992 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $343, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Anderson University South Carolina, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,621 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Anderson University South Carolina

#5

University of South Carolina - Upstate

Spartanburg, South Carolina
$35,146 Average Earnings
$28,943 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of South Carolina - Upstate. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Nursing Schools in South Carolina list.

Degree recipients from USC Upstate accumulate an average of $28,943 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $139. During the early years of their career, USC Upstate graduates make an average of $35,146 annually.

Read full report on University of South Carolina - Upstate

#6

University of South Carolina - Aiken

Aiken, South Carolina
$30,542 Average Earnings
$28,762 Avg Student Debt

University of South Carolina - Aiken landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

Degree recipients from UofSC Aiken accumulate an average of $28,762 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $208. Once they receive their degree, UofSC Aiken graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $30,542 during the early year of their career.

Full University of South Carolina - Aiken Report

#7

Lander University

Greenwood, South Carolina
$32,703 Average Earnings
$26,468 Avg Student Debt

Lander University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in South Carolina list.

On average, students take out $26,468 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $199 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Lander University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,703 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Lander University

#8

Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College

Orangeburg, South Carolina
$43,665 Average Earnings
$17,389 Avg Student Debt

Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #8 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,389 in student loans.After graduating from OCtech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,665 during the early years of their career.

Full Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College Report

#9

Claflin University

Orangeburg, South Carolina
$30,021 Average Earnings
$31,687 Avg Student Debt

Claflin University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

Degree recipients from Claflin accumulate an average of $31,687 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $265, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Claflin, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $30,021 during the early years of their career.

Full Claflin University Report

#10

Francis Marion University

Florence, South Carolina
$37,287 Average Earnings
$29,728 Avg Student Debt

Francis Marion University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

Degree recipients from Francis Marion University accumulate an average of $29,728 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $175 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Francis Marion University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,287 during the early year of their career.

Full Francis Marion University Report

#11

Bob Jones University

Greenville, South Carolina
$37,074 Average Earnings
$17,432 Avg Student Debt

Bob Jones University landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

Degree recipients from Bob Jones University accumulate an average of $17,432 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Bob Jones University graduates make an average of $37,074 annually.

Read full report on Bob Jones University

#12

South University, Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina
$44,331 Average Earnings
$43,863 Avg Student Debt

South University, Columbia came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in South Carolina ranking.

Degree recipients from South University, Columbia accumulate an average of $43,863 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $208. During the early years of their career, South University, Columbia graduates make an average of $44,331 annually.

Read full report on South University, Columbia

#13

Greenville Technical College

Greenville, South Carolina
$36,132 Average Earnings
$20,734 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #13, Greenville Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

Degree recipients from GTC accumulate an average of $20,734 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, GTC graduates make an average of $36,132 annually.

Read full report on Greenville Technical College

#14

University of South Carolina - Beaufort

Bluffton, South Carolina
$35,331 Average Earnings
$29,735 Avg Student Debt

University of South Carolina - Beaufort ranked #14 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in South Carolina list.

On average, students take out $29,735 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, USCB graduates make an average of $35,331 annually.

Read More…

#15

Florence-Darlington Technical College

Florence, South Carolina
$35,017 Average Earnings
$20,272 Avg Student Debt

Florence-Darlington Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #15 on the list.

Degree recipients from Florence-Darlington Technical College accumulate an average of $20,272 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Florence-Darlington Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,017 during the early years of their career.

Full Florence-Darlington Technical College Report

#16

Charleston Southern University

Charleston, South Carolina
$37,960 Average Earnings
$28,719 Avg Student Debt

Charleston Southern University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #16 on the list.

On average, students take out $28,719 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $160. Once they receive their degree, CSU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,960 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

#17

Newberry College

Newberry, South Carolina
$33,587 Average Earnings
$30,105 Avg Student Debt

Newberry College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in South Carolina list.

On average, students take out $30,105 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $236, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Newberry College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,587 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Newberry College

#18

Tri-County Technical College

Pendleton, South Carolina
$34,761 Average Earnings
$14,532 Avg Student Debt

Tri-County Technical College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in South Carolina ranking.

Degree recipients from TCTC accumulate an average of $14,532 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from TCTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,761 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

#19

Coastal Carolina University

Conway, South Carolina
$33,500 Average Earnings
$27,362 Avg Student Debt

Coastal Carolina University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in South Carolina list.

On average, students take out $27,362 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $395, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Coastal Carolina University graduates make an average of $33,500 annually.

Read More…

#20

Midlands Technical College

West Columbia, South Carolina
$34,029 Average Earnings
$19,195 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #20, Midlands Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

Degree recipients from MTC accumulate an average of $19,195 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $103, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, MTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,029 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Midlands Technical College

#21

Central Carolina Technical College

Sumter, South Carolina
$32,123 Average Earnings
$18,612 Avg Student Debt

Central Carolina Technical College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in South Carolina ranking.

Degree recipients from Central Carolina accumulate an average of $18,612 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Central Carolina, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,123 during the early years of their career.

Full Central Carolina Technical College Report

#22

Spartanburg Community College

Spartanburg, South Carolina
$35,952 Average Earnings
$12,497 Avg Student Debt

Spartanburg Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #22 on the list.

Degree recipients from Spartanburg Community College accumulate an average of $12,497 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Spartanburg Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,952 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

#23

Aiken Technical College

Graniteville, South Carolina
$41,685 Average Earnings
$18,576 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #23, Aiken Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,576 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Aiken Technical College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,685 during the early year of their career.

Full Aiken Technical College Report

#24

Piedmont Technical College

Greenwood, South Carolina
$32,435 Average Earnings
$20,831 Avg Student Debt

Piedmont Technical College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in South Carolina list.

On average, students take out $20,831 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Piedmont Technical College graduates make an average of $32,435 annually.

Read full report on Piedmont Technical College

#25

Horry-Georgetown Technical College

Conway, South Carolina
$31,926 Average Earnings
$20,687 Avg Student Debt

Horry-Georgetown Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #25 on the list.

Degree recipients from Horry-Georgetown Technical College accumulate an average of $20,687 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Horry-Georgetown Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $31,926 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Horry-Georgetown Technical College

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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