2023 Best Nursing Schools in South Carolina
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:
Our analysis found Trident Technical College to be the best school for nursing students in South Carolina. Located in Charleston, South Carolina, the fairly large public school awarded 2,581 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $15,991 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Trident Technical College graduates make an average of $33,465 annually.
The excellent programs at Clemson University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in South Carolina. Clemson is a large public school situated in Clemson, South Carolina. It awarded 7,469 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Clemson accumulate an average of $25,386 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 $488. During the early years of their career, Clemson graduates make an average of $47,889 annually.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of South Carolina - Columbia. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Nursing Schools in South Carolina list. UofSC is a large public school situated in Columbia, South Carolina. It awarded 10,045 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from UofSC accumulate an average of $37,905 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 $484. Once they receive their degree, UofSC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,342 during the early year of their career.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Anderson University South Carolina is a great place for nursing students. Anderson University South Carolina is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Anderson, South Carolina. It awarded 1,006 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Anderson University South Carolina accumulate an average of $29,119 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $369, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Anderson University South Carolina graduates make an average of $40,621 annually.
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. Located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the small public school awarded 1,429 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from USC Upstate accumulate an average of $23,239 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 $178 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, USC Upstate graduates make an average of $35,146 annually.
With a ranking of #6, University of South Carolina - Aiken did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. This small public school is located in Aiken, South Carolina, and it awarded 810 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,970 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $218 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UofSC Aiken graduates make an average of $30,542 annually.
Lander University landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in Greenwood, South Carolina, the small public school handed out 672 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,125 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $231, assuming you 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.
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in South Carolina ranking. Located in Orangeburg, South Carolina, the small public school handed out 697 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from OCtech accumulate an average of $10,950 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from OCtech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,665 during the early years of their career.
With a ranking of #9, Claflin University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Located in Orangeburg, South Carolina, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 476 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Claflin accumulate an average of $18,835 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 $322 if they 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.
Francis Marion University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Florence, South Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 666 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $42,620 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $166 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Francis Marion University graduates make an average of $37,287 annually.
Bob Jones University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in South Carolina list. Bob Jones University is located in Greenville, South Carolina and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 628 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Bob Jones University accumulate an average of $16,329 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Bob Jones University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,074 during the early years of their career.
South University, Columbia did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in Columbia, South Carolina, the very small private for-profit school awarded 154 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from South University, Columbia accumulate an average of $43,359 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $231, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, South University, Columbia graduates make an average of $43,504 annually.
Greenville Technical College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in Greenville, South Carolina, the fairly large public school handed out 2,125 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $17,263 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, GTC graduates make an average of $36,132 annually.
With a ranking of #14, University of South Carolina - Beaufort did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. USCB is located in Bluffton, South Carolina and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 366 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $25,148 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, USCB graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,331 during the early year of their career.
Florence-Darlington Technical College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in South Carolina ranking. Florence-Darlington Technical College is a small public school situated in Florence, South Carolina. It awarded 651 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,630 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Florence-Darlington Technical College graduates make an average of $35,017 annually.
Charleston Southern University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in South Carolina ranking. Charleston, South Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 800 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $32,754 in student loans. During the early years of their career, CSU graduates make an average of $37,960 annually.
With a ranking of #17, Newberry College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Located in Newberry, South Carolina, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 271 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Newberry College accumulate an average of $23,214 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 $363 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Newberry College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,587 during the early years of their career.
Tri-County Technical College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in South Carolina ranking. TCTC is a medium-sized public school situated in Pendleton, South Carolina. It awarded 2,449 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from TCTC accumulate an average of $10,659 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, TCTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,761 during the early year of their career.
Coastal Carolina University landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Coastal Carolina University is located in Conway, South Carolina and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,195 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,862 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $446, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Coastal Carolina University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,500 during the early year of their career.
Midlands Technical College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in South Carolina ranking. MTC is a public institution located in West Columbia, South Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,543 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from MTC accumulate an average of $15,149 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 $101. During the early years of their career, MTC graduates make an average of $34,029 annually.
Central Carolina Technical College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in South Carolina ranking. Central Carolina is a small public school situated in Sumter, South Carolina. It awarded 635 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Central Carolina accumulate an average of $13,273 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Central Carolina graduates make an average of $32,123 annually.
Spartanburg Community College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in South Carolina list. This medium-sized public school is located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and it awarded 1,057 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $9,030 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Spartanburg Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,952 during the early year of their career.
Aiken Technical College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in South Carolina list. Graniteville, South Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 328 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Aiken Technical College accumulate an average of $14,446 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Aiken Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,685 during the early years of their career.
Piedmont Technical College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in South Carolina ranking. Piedmont Technical College is a medium-sized public school situated in Greenwood, South Carolina. It awarded 1,653 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $16,654 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Piedmont Technical College graduates make an average of $32,435 annually.
With a ranking of #25, Horry-Georgetown Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Located in Conway, South Carolina, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,602 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,555 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Horry-Georgetown Technical College graduates make an average of $31,926 annually.
Best Nursing Schools in the Southeast Region
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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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