Top Rated South Carolina Public Colleges

The Best Public Colleges in South Carolina for 2024

These are the top ranked public four-year colleges in South Carolina as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the rankings for 2024 as the best public college in South Carolina is Clemson University. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
South Carolina Public 4 year

12 results

Clemson University
Connect Me
C
Clemson, SC

Clemson University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 28,466enrollment
  • $24,577net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1410SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.75Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of South Carolina Columbia
Connect Me
S
Columbia, SC

University of South Carolina Columbia

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 35,653enrollment
  • $22,427net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1380SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.69Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Connect Me
C
Charleston, SC

Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 3,721enrollment
  • $21,846net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1270SAT range
  • 23-27ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
College of Charleston
Connect Me
C
Charleston, SC

College of Charleston

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 10,885enrollment
  • $21,120net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1300SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.94Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Winthrop University
Connect Me
W
Rock Hill, SC

Winthrop University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 4,712enrollment
  • $17,008net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 980-1195SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Coastal Carolina University
Connect Me
C
Conway, SC

Coastal Carolina University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 10,337enrollment
  • $14,016net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1190SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of South Carolina Upstate
Connect Me
S
Spartanburg, SC
 

University of South Carolina Upstate

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 4,913enrollment
  • $13,835net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 2.53Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of South Carolina Aiken
Connect Me
S
Aiken, SC
 

University of South Carolina Aiken

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 3,840enrollment
  • $11,872net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 950-1180SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.19Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Francis Marion University
Connect Me
F
Florence, SC

Francis Marion University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 4,045enrollment
  • $12,614net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 890-1123SAT range
  • 15-22ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Lander University
Connect Me
L
Greenwood, SC

Lander University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 4,167enrollment
  • $15,524net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 950-1190SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of South Carolina Beaufort
Connect Me
S
Bluffton, SC

University of South Carolina Beaufort

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 2,124enrollment
  • $16,113net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 940-1110SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
South Carolina State University
Connect Me
S
HBCU
Orangeburg, SC

South Carolina State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 2,649enrollment
  • $17,435net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 800-1050SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.17Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 31

Compare Calculate my chances