2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in South Carolina
Looking for the best-value Nursing degree programs in South Carolina? We have ranked 90 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Nursing Degree Search evaluated 27 schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Nursing Degree Schools in South Carolina
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Trident Technical College earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in South Carolina. Based in Charleston, SC, Trident Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. The median Nursing program debt is $18,116. Median earnings reach $38,253 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Trident Technical College profile
Florence Darlington Technical College came in at #2 on this year's best-value Nursing ranking in South Carolina. Florence Darlington Technical College is a public school based in Florence, SC. In-state tuition and fees average $4,636, while out-of-state students pay about $6,772. Graduates carry a median of $7,230 in student loans. Florence Darlington Technical College alumni report median earnings of $32,748 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $7,230 median debt. More on Florence Darlington Technical College
You'll get strong value at Greenville Technical College, which ranked #3 this year. Located in Greenville, SC, Greenville Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,495, while out-of-state students pay about $10,775. Greenville Technical College Nursing students take on a median of $16,411 in debt. Median earnings reach $39,473 ten years out. Set against $16,411 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Greenville Technical College report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College earned it the #4 place in South Carolina. This public school is set in Orangeburg, SC. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,354. Typical Nursing student debt is $18,583. Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College alumni report median earnings of $35,761 a decade after entry. Set against $18,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College profile
Aiken Technical College came in at #5 on this year's best-value Nursing ranking in South Carolina. Located in Graniteville, SC, Aiken Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,174 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,924. Students borrow a median of $17,884 to complete their Nursing program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,225. Set against $17,884 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Aiken Technical College report
Piedmont Technical College landed the #6 spot for value in South Carolina this year. This public school is set in Greenwood, SC. In-state tuition and fees average $4,775, while out-of-state students pay about $6,923. Piedmont Technical College Nursing students take on a median of $17,652 in debt. Piedmont Technical College alumni report median earnings of $35,768 a decade after entry. Set against $17,652 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Piedmont Technical College
Tri County Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. This public school is set in Pendleton, SC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,448, with out-of-state students paying around $12,007. The median Nursing program debt is $15,787. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,101 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Tri County Technical College
Horry Georgetown Technical College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Set in Conway, SC, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,518, while out-of-state students pay about $10,978. Horry Georgetown Technical College Nursing students take on a median of $19,172 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,507 ten years after entry. Set against $19,172 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Horry Georgetown Technical College report
Midlands Technical College came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Midlands Technical College is a public school based in West Columbia, SC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $14,700. The median Nursing program debt is $17,611. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,701. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt. Read more about Midlands Technical College
York Technical College landed the #10 spot for value in South Carolina this year. Located in Rock Hill, SC, York Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,036, with out-of-state students paying around $13,340. Students borrow a median of $10,907 to complete their Nursing program here. York Technical College alumni report median earnings of $37,257 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on York Technical College
Spartanburg Community College landed the #11 spot for value in South Carolina this year. This public school is set in Spartanburg, SC. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,071, while out-of-state students pay about $10,135. Typical Nursing student debt is $10,148. Spartanburg Community College alumni report median earnings of $37,097 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Spartanburg Community College report
Technical College Of The Lowcountry ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Based in Beaufort, SC, Technical College Of The Lowcountry is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,916. Technical College Of The Lowcountry Nursing students take on a median of $17,110 in debt. Median earnings reach $35,090 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $17,110 median debt. Read the full report on Technical College Of The Lowcountry
Central Carolina Technical College placed #13 among the best-value Nursing schools in South Carolina. Located in Sumter, SC, Central Carolina Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,715, while out-of-state students pay about $9,016. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete their Nursing program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,603 ten years after entry. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Central Carolina Technical College
University Of South Carolina Aiken ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. University Of South Carolina Aiken is a public school based in Aiken, SC. Students from in state pay about $10,760 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,218. University Of South Carolina Aiken Nursing students take on a median of $27,011 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,603 ten years after entry. Set against $27,011 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of South Carolina Aiken report
University Of South Carolina Upstate came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. University Of South Carolina Upstate is a public school based in Spartanburg, SC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,588, with out-of-state students paying around $23,090. Graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,587. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 67% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of South Carolina Upstate
University Of South Carolina Columbia came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a public school based in Columbia, SC. Students from in state pay about $12,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $24,472. Median earnings reach $62,177 ten years out. Set against $24,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Carolina Columbia admits about 60% of applicants. See the full University Of South Carolina Columbia profile
Clemson University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. This public school is set in Clemson, SC. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Graduates carry a median of $23,783 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $71,513. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clemson University has an acceptance rate of 38%. Read the full report on Clemson University
Lander University offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. This public school is set in Greenwood, SC. In-state tuition and fees average $11,700, with out-of-state students paying around $21,300. Lander University Nursing students take on a median of $26,064 in debt. Median earnings reach $42,396 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lander University admits about 81% of applicants. See the full Lander University profile
Francis Marion University offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. This public school is set in Florence, SC. In-state tuition and fees average $11,170, compared with $21,544 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $30,577 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,888. Set against $30,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Francis Marion University has an acceptance rate of 86%. Read more about Francis Marion University
University Of South Carolina Beaufort offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. This public school is set in Bluffton, SC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,730, compared with $21,776 for out-of-state students. University Of South Carolina Beaufort Nursing students take on a median of $27,971 in debt. Median earnings reach $48,088 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Carolina Beaufort has an acceptance rate of 72%. More on University Of South Carolina Beaufort
Coastal Carolina University came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Conway, SC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,640, compared with $29,628 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $27,174. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $47,258. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Coastal Carolina University admits about 75% of applicants. See the full Coastal Carolina University profile
Claflin University offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Claflin University is a private not-for-profit school based in Orangeburg, SC. In-state tuition and fees average $17,046. Students borrow a median of $32,111 to complete their Nursing program here. Median earnings reach $40,304 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%. More on Claflin University
South University Columbia came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Based in Columbia, SC, South University Columbia is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,895. Students borrow a median of $48,920 to complete their Nursing program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,421. Set against $48,920 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full South University Columbia report
Anderson University Sc landed the #24 spot for value in South Carolina this year. Based in Anderson, SC, Anderson University Sc is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,970. Graduates carry a median of $28,034 in student loans. Median earnings reach $42,101 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Anderson University Sc
Bob Jones University offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Located in Greenville, SC, Bob Jones University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,892. The median Nursing program debt is $20,497. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,354. Set against $20,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Bob Jones University
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Nursing Degree Schools in South Carolina
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Newberry College offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Newberry, SC. In-state tuition and fees average $31,100. The median Nursing program debt is $27,729. Median earnings reach $48,040 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $27,729 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Newberry College
Charleston Southern University came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Charleston, SC. In-state tuition and fees run about $32,520. Graduates carry a median of $27,569 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,898 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,569 median debt. Charleston Southern University has an acceptance rate of 96%. Get the full Charleston Southern University report
Miller Motte Technical College Conway came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Miller Motte Technical College Conway report
Limestone College placed #29 among the best-value Nursing schools in South Carolina. See the full Limestone College profile
Paul Mitchell The School Charleston landed the #30 spot for value in South Carolina this year. Read more about Paul Mitchell The School Charleston
University Of South Carolina Union placed #31 among the best-value Nursing schools in South Carolina. Read more about University Of South Carolina Union
Academy For Careers And Technology offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Get the full Academy For Careers And Technology report
Coker College
Coker College placed #33 among the best-value Nursing schools in South Carolina. Get the full Coker College report
Furman University landed the #34 spot for value in South Carolina this year. Get the full Furman University report
Southeastern Institute Charleston ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Read the full report on Southeastern Institute Charleston
Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology And Nails Columbia ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Read more about Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology And Nails Columbia
Presbyterian College landed the #37 spot for value in South Carolina this year. More on Presbyterian College
Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology Rock Hill landed the #38 spot for value in South Carolina this year. Read the full report on Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology Rock Hill
Southeastern Institute Columbia came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Southeastern Institute Columbia report
Charzanne Beauty College landed the #40 spot for value in South Carolina this year. Read the full report on Charzanne Beauty College
Medical University Of South Carolina landed the #41 spot for value in South Carolina this year. See the full Medical University Of South Carolina profile
Academy Of Hair Technology ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Read more about Academy Of Hair Technology
Wofford College
Wofford College came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Wofford College
Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology Spartanburg came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology Spartanburg
Galen Health Institutes Myrtle Beach placed #45 among the best-value Nursing schools in South Carolina. Read the full report on Galen Health Institutes Myrtle Beach
University Of South Carolina Lancaster landed the #46 spot for value in South Carolina this year. Read the full report on University Of South Carolina Lancaster
Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology North Augusta landed the #47 spot for value in South Carolina this year. Read more about Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology North Augusta
Southern Wesleyan University came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. See the full Southern Wesleyan University profile
Spartanburg Methodist College landed the #49 spot for value in South Carolina this year. Get the full Spartanburg Methodist College report
Denmark Technical College ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. See the full Denmark Technical College profile
More Nursing Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Nursing Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 27 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 90 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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