2026 Best Value Teaching Schools in South Carolina
Looking for the best-value Teaching degree programs in South Carolina? Our ranking highlights 90 institutions 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.
To help you make your decision, Teaching Degree Search evaluated 17 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 Teaching Degree Schools in South Carolina
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in South Carolina. Set in Charleston, SC, Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,570, while out-of-state students pay about $38,508. The median Teaching program debt is $24,305. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $72,085. Set against $24,305 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 23%. Get the full Citadel Military College Of South Carolina report
A rank of #2 makes Clemson University one of the best values in South Carolina. Based in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Students borrow a median of $23,783 to complete their Teaching program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,513 ten years after entry. Set against $23,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants. Get the full Clemson University report
You'll get strong value at University Of South Carolina Aiken, which ranked #3 this year. University Of South Carolina Aiken is a public school based in Aiken, SC. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,760, with out-of-state students paying around $21,218. The median Teaching program debt is $27,011. Median earnings reach $45,603 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 78% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of South Carolina Aiken
A rank of #4 makes Coastal Carolina University one of the best values in South Carolina. Set in Conway, SC, Coastal Carolina University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,640, compared with $29,628 for out-of-state students. Typical Teaching student 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. The acceptance rate is 75%. More on Coastal Carolina University
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Charleston earned it the #5 place in South Carolina. Located in Charleston, SC, College Of Charleston is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,978, compared with $38,296 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,733 to complete their Teaching program here. Median earnings reach $56,416 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 60% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about College Of Charleston
University Of South Carolina Upstate offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Spartanburg, SC, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,588, while out-of-state students pay about $23,090. Typical Teaching student debt is $28,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,587 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%. Get the full University Of South Carolina Upstate report
University Of South Carolina Columbia came in at #6 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. The median Teaching program debt is $24,472. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,177. Set against $24,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%. See the full University Of South Carolina Columbia profile
Converse College came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Based in Spartanburg, SC, Converse College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,240. Typical Teaching student debt is $26,715. Median earnings reach $40,867 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%. More on Converse College
Francis Marion University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Francis Marion University is a public school based in Florence, SC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,170, with out-of-state students paying around $21,544. Typical Teaching student debt is $30,577. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $43,888. Set against $30,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Francis Marion University
Winthrop University came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Rock Hill, SC. In-state tuition and fees average $14,678, compared with $28,676 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $27,040 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $47,185. Set against $27,040 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%. Read more about Winthrop University
Anderson University Sc landed the #11 spot for value in South Carolina this year. Based in Anderson, SC, Anderson University Sc is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,970. Typical Teaching student debt is $28,034. Anderson University Sc alumni report median earnings of $42,101 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted. More on Anderson University Sc
Southern Wesleyan University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Set in Central, SC, Southern Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $29,800. The median Teaching program debt is $31,554. Southern Wesleyan University alumni report median earnings of $47,756 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $31,554 median debt. Southern Wesleyan University has an acceptance rate of 100%. See the full Southern Wesleyan University profile
North Greenville University came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. North Greenville University is a private not-for-profit school based in Tigerville, SC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,800. North Greenville University Teaching students take on a median of $24,128 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,035 ten years after entry. Set against $24,128 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%. Read more about North Greenville University
Charleston Southern University offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Charleston Southern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Charleston, SC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,520. Graduates carry a median of $27,569 in student loans. Charleston Southern University alumni report median earnings of $45,898 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,569 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%. More on Charleston Southern University
South Carolina State University placed #15 among the best-value Teaching schools in South Carolina. South Carolina State University is a public school based in Orangeburg, SC. Students from in state pay about $11,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,750. Graduates carry a median of $31,740 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,262 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $31,740 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted. Get the full South Carolina State University report
Columbia College South Carolina ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Located in Columbia, SC, Columbia College South Carolina is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,054. Columbia College South Carolina Teaching students take on a median of $28,158 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,338. Set against $28,158 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Columbia College South Carolina
Bob Jones University offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Greenville, SC. In-state tuition and fees average $22,892. Graduates carry a median of $20,497 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,354. Set against $20,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Bob Jones University
Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology Goose Creek ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Read the full report on Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology Goose Creek
Miller Motte Technical College North Charleston ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. See the full Miller Motte Technical College North Charleston profile
University Of South Carolina Sumter offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. More on University Of South Carolina Sumter
Trident Technical College landed the #21 spot for value in South Carolina this year. See the full Trident Technical College profile
Wofford College
Wofford College came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. See the full Wofford College profile
Technical College Of The Lowcountry came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Technical College Of The Lowcountry
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Get the full Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College report
Southeastern Institute Charleston came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Southeastern Institute Charleston
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Teaching Degree Schools in South Carolina
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Academy Of Hair Technology landed the #26 spot for value in South Carolina this year. More on Academy Of Hair Technology
Midlands Technical College placed #27 among the best-value Teaching schools in South Carolina. More on Midlands Technical College
Greenville Technical College landed the #28 spot for value in South Carolina this year. More on Greenville Technical College
Florence Darlington Technical College landed the #29 spot for value in South Carolina this year. More on Florence Darlington Technical College
Southeastern Institute Columbia landed the #30 spot for value in South Carolina this year. Read the full report on Southeastern Institute Columbia
University Of South Carolina Beaufort came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of South Carolina Beaufort report
University Of South Carolina Union landed the #32 spot for value in South Carolina this year. Read more about University Of South Carolina Union
Charleston School Of Law ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. More on Charleston School Of Law
Galen Health Institutes Myrtle Beach ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Read the full report on Galen Health Institutes Myrtle Beach
Northeastern Technical College landed the #35 spot for value in South Carolina this year. Get the full Northeastern Technical College report
Strayer University South Carolina landed the #36 spot for value in South Carolina this year. Get the full Strayer University South Carolina report
Williamsburg Technical College placed #37 among the best-value Teaching schools in South Carolina. See the full Williamsburg Technical College profile
Coker College
Coker College ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Get the full Coker College report
Limestone College placed #39 among the best-value Teaching schools in South Carolina. Read more about Limestone College
Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology Columbia came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology Columbia
University Of South Carolina Lancaster landed the #41 spot for value in South Carolina this year. See the full University Of South Carolina Lancaster profile
Clinton Junior College landed the #42 spot for value in South Carolina this year. Read the full report on Clinton Junior College
Paul Mitchell The School Greenville came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. More on Paul Mitchell The School Greenville
Charleston Cosmetology Institute offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. Get the full Charleston Cosmetology Institute report
Columbia International University offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. Get the full Columbia International University report
Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology And Nails Columbia offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. More on Kenneth Shuler School Of Cosmetology And Nails Columbia
Presbyterian College ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Get the full Presbyterian College report
Claflin University offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Get the full Claflin University report
Spartanburg Community College ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Teaching schools. Read more about Spartanburg Community College
Benedict College
Benedict College came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. See the full Benedict College profile
More Teaching Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Teaching 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 · 17 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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