State cost ranking · DOE College Scorecard
Cheapest Colleges in South Carolina
According to U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data, 80 South Carolina colleges ranked by average net price, what students actually paid after grant and scholarship aid, not the published sticker price.
- $1,406
- Cheapest net price
- $16,525
- South Carolina median
- 80
- Schools ranked
Data updated June 2026 · IPEDS 2022–23 vintage
The list in one line
Trident Technical College has the lowest average net price in South Carolina at $1,406/year, and the state's median net price is 3% below the $17,083 national median across 4,942 schools.
- $1,406
- cheapest ranked net price
- $16,525
- South Carolina median net price
- 33 public / 47 private
- schools in this ranking
- $13,955
- avg net price, <$30K income families
Average net price is the institution-reported average amount students actually paid after all grant and scholarship aid, not counting loans that must be repaid. A very low figure at a specialty or religious institution can reflect a narrow enrollment mix rather than typical affordability, check the sector label and enrollment before comparing.
Sticker tuition and real net price diverge most at Wofford College, where in-state published tuition of $56,005 falls to an average net price of $18,732 after aid, a $37,273 gap. This is the widest sticker-to-net-price gap among ranked South Carolina schools, and a reminder that published tuition alone is a poor guide to what most admitted students actually pay.
Across all 80 ranked South Carolina schools, 33 are public institutions and 47 are private (nonprofit or for-profit). Sector is shown next to every school below because a low sticker-adjacent price at a small religious, seminary, or specialty school can reflect an unusual enrollment mix rather than broad affordability, check enrollment and sector before drawing conclusions from rank alone.
Average net price also blends every income bracket into one figure, so a family's own bracket can land well above or below the number shown here. Federal reporting requires an institution to have enough surveyed aid recipients in a bracket before that bracket is published, so a very small school can show only a partial income-bracket breakdown even when its overall average net price is fully reported. Use the school's own profile page for the full income-bracket table before treating a single average as a personal cost estimate.
South Carolina's 25 cheapest colleges by real net price
| # | College | Avg net price | Net price (<$30K income) | Median debt | Median earnings, 6yr | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trident Technical College North Charleston, SC · Public | $1,406 96% of the leader · rank #1 | $1,057 | $13,029 | $33,306 | 14,025 |
| 2 | Florence-Darlington Technical College Florence, SC · Public | $2,004 94% of the leader · rank #2 | $1,589 | $12,250 | $27,042 | 3,521 |
| 3 | Spartanburg Community College Spartanburg, SC · Public | $2,405 92% of the leader · rank #3 | $2,669 | $6,500 | $33,460 | 6,330 |
| 4 | Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conway, SC · Public | $4,159 87% of the leader · rank #4 | $3,673 | $14,250 | $31,547 | 7,353 |
| 5 | Midlands Technical College West Columbia, SC · Public | $4,647 85% of the leader · rank #5 | $3,429 | $12,000 | $33,067 | 8,978 |
| 6 | Aiken Technical College Graniteville, SC · Public | $4,807 85% of the leader · rank #6 | $4,566 | $12,250 | $32,231 | 2,218 |
| 7 | Central Carolina Technical College Sumter, SC · Public | $5,571 83% of the leader · rank #7 | $5,526 | $9,977 | $28,887 | 3,004 |
| 8 | York Technical College Rock Hill, SC · Public | $5,931 81% of the leader · rank #8 | $5,749 | $7,000 | $32,929 | 4,731 |
| 9 | Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College Orangeburg, SC · Public | $6,186 81% of the leader · rank #9 | $7,122 | $10,562 | $31,617 | 2,146 |
| 10 | Northeastern Technical College Cheraw, SC · Public | $6,913 78% of the leader · rank #10 | $7,012 | - | $28,856 | 1,477 |
| 11 | University of South Carolina-Sumter Sumter, SC · Public | $7,712 76% of the leader · rank #11 | $5,894 | $9,250 | $36,439 | 1,692 |
| 12 | University of South Carolina-Union Union, SC · Public | $8,065 75% of the leader · rank #12 | $7,340 | $11,000 | $34,202 | 1,392 |
| 13 | Personal Touch Beauty and Barber College Kingstree, SC · Private for-profit | $8,905 72% of the leader · rank #13 | $8,905 | - | - | 12 |
| 14 | Academy for Careers and Technology Mullins, SC · Public | $8,969 72% of the leader · rank #14 | $8,969 | - | $42,099 | 45 |
| 15 | University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie Allendale, SC · Public | $9,229 71% of the leader · rank #15 | $8,535 | $11,000 | $28,655 | 809 |
| 16 | University of South Carolina-Lancaster Lancaster, SC · Public | $9,801 69% of the leader · rank #16 | $6,306 | $9,616 | $35,206 | 2,328 |
| 17 | Williamsburg Technical College Kingstree, SC · Public | $9,887 69% of the leader · rank #17 | $8,307 | - | $29,427 | 629 |
| 18 | Strand College of Hair Design Myrtle Beach, SC · Private for-profit | $9,998 69% of the leader · rank #18 | $8,650 | $6,333 | $25,974 | 103 |
| 19 | Vski Cosmetology School Charleston, SC · Private nonprofit | $10,578 67% of the leader · rank #19 | $10,578 | - | - | 24 |
| 20 | Allen University Columbia, SC · Private nonprofit | $10,972 66% of the leader · rank #20 | $10,553 | $34,290 | $23,889 | 677 |
| 21 | Piedmont Technical College Greenwood, SC · Public | $11,366 64% of the leader · rank #21 | $11,778 | $15,000 | $31,430 | 4,999 |
| 22 | Francis Marion University Florence, SC · Public | $11,386 64% of the leader · rank #22 | $9,723 | $27,000 | $36,304 | 4,017 |
| 23 | Academy of Hair Technology Greenville, SC · Private for-profit | $11,409 64% of the leader · rank #23 | $11,409 | $3,417 | $17,132 | 95 |
| 24 | Clinton College Rock Hill, SC · Private nonprofit | $11,458 64% of the leader · rank #24 | $11,105 | $28,987 | $24,047 | 106 |
| 25 | University of South Carolina Aiken Aiken, SC · Public | $11,641 64% of the leader · rank #25 | $8,987 | $24,275 | $39,689 | 3,855 |
See all 80 ranked South Carolina schools →
| # | College | Avg net price | Net price (<$30K income) | Median debt | Median earnings, 6yr | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Greenville Technical College Greenville, SC · Public | $11,713 63% of the leader · rank #26 | $11,138 | $15,392 | $35,240 | 10,661 |
| 27 | Voorhees University Denmark, SC · Private nonprofit | $13,335 58% of the leader · rank #27 | $11,968 | $26,700 | $24,199 | 515 |
| 28 | University of South Carolina-Upstate Spartanburg, SC · Public | $13,557 58% of the leader · rank #28 | $11,618 | $22,310 | $43,339 | 4,946 |
| 29 | Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Spartanburg Spartanburg, SC · Private for-profit | $13,919 56% of the leader · rank #29 | $13,112 | $5,858 | $18,684 | 132 |
| 30 | Coastal Carolina University Conway, SC · Public | $13,966 56% of the leader · rank #30 | $9,563 | $23,750 | $38,070 | 10,829 |
| 31 | Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Rock Hill Rock Hill, SC · Private for-profit | $14,029 56% of the leader · rank #31 | $12,600 | $6,333 | $22,309 | 172 |
| 32 | LeGrand Institute of Cosmetology Inc Camden, SC · Private for-profit | $14,427 55% of the leader · rank #32 | $12,623 | - | $10,811 | 30 |
| 33 | Spartanburg Methodist College Spartanburg, SC · Private nonprofit | $14,580 54% of the leader · rank #33 | $13,794 | $12,000 | $33,427 | 1,029 |
| 34 | University of South Carolina Beaufort Bluffton, SC · Public | $14,656 54% of the leader · rank #34 | $11,397 | $24,000 | $39,214 | 2,121 |
| 35 | Tri-County Technical College Pendleton, SC · Public | $14,670 54% of the leader · rank #35 | $11,937 | $9,000 | $37,275 | 5,780 |
| 36 | Technical College of the Lowcountry Beaufort, SC · Public | $14,724 54% of the leader · rank #36 | $14,531 | $10,000 | $34,001 | 2,349 |
| 37 | Winthrop University Rock Hill, SC · Public | $15,343 52% of the leader · rank #37 | $12,608 | $26,975 | $39,048 | 4,694 |
| 38 | Lander University Greenwood, SC · Public | $15,363 52% of the leader · rank #38 | $11,450 | $25,000 | $36,851 | 4,363 |
| 39 | Southern Wesleyan University Central, SC · Private nonprofit | $15,464 52% of the leader · rank #39 | $14,084 | $26,000 | $41,489 | 1,188 |
| 40 | Charleston Cosmetology Institute Charleston, SC · Private for-profit | $15,548 51% of the leader · rank #40 | $11,681 | $5,655 | $24,879 | 89 |
| 41 | Erskine College Due West, SC · Private nonprofit | $16,525 48% of the leader · rank #41 | $14,555 | $27,000 | $39,618 | 984 |
| 42 | Bob Jones University Greenville, SC · Private nonprofit | $16,641 48% of the leader · rank #42 | $14,287 | $16,585 | $40,892 | 2,893 |
| 43 | Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Goose Creek Goose Creek, SC · Private for-profit | $17,230 46% of the leader · rank #43 | $16,620 | $5,858 | $18,684 | 128 |
| 44 | Southeastern Esthetics Institute Elgin, SC · Private for-profit | $17,333 46% of the leader · rank #44 | $17,333 | $6,333 | - | 318 |
| 45 | Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology and Nails-Columbia Columbia, SC · Private for-profit | $17,337 46% of the leader · rank #45 | $15,044 | $5,858 | $18,684 | 124 |
| 46 | Claflin University Orangeburg, SC · Private nonprofit | $17,800 44% of the leader · rank #46 | $16,354 | $29,000 | $29,227 | 1,835 |
| 47 | Strayer University-South Carolina Greenville, SC · Private for-profit | $17,979 44% of the leader · rank #47 | - | $40,621 | $36,582 | 2,061 |
| 48 | South Carolina State University Orangeburg, SC · Public | $18,097 43% of the leader · rank #48 | $16,846 | $31,000 | $30,064 | 3,041 |
| 49 | Paul Mitchell the School-Columbia West Columbia, SC · Private for-profit | $18,210 43% of the leader · rank #49 | $18,210 | $11,740 | $21,933 | 300 |
| 50 | Benedict College Columbia, SC · Private nonprofit | $18,250 43% of the leader · rank #50 | $17,177 | $32,500 | $24,908 | 1,731 |
| 51 | Paul Mitchell the School-Greenville Greenville, SC · Private for-profit | $18,272 43% of the leader · rank #51 | $16,587 | $11,740 | $21,933 | 147 |
| 52 | Columbia College Columbia, SC · Private nonprofit | $18,408 42% of the leader · rank #52 | $17,541 | $22,750 | $45,863 | 1,572 |
| 53 | Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-North Augusta North Augusta, SC · Private for-profit | $18,677 42% of the leader · rank #53 | $16,229 | $8,661 | $17,656 | 125 |
| 54 | Wofford College Spartanburg, SC · Private nonprofit | $18,732 41% of the leader · rank #54 | $8,493 | $25,732 | $52,076 | 1,873 |
| 55 | College of Charleston Charleston, SC · Public | $18,960 41% of the leader · rank #55 | $12,133 | $23,250 | $43,821 | 11,729 |
| 56 | Top of the Line Barber College Charleston, SC · Private for-profit | $19,078 40% of the leader · rank #56 | $19,078 | - | - | 60 |
| 57 | Denmark Technical College Denmark, SC · Public | $19,156 40% of the leader · rank #57 | $18,698 | $15,250 | $18,631 | 646 |
| 58 | Coker University Hartsville, SC · Private nonprofit | $20,286 36% of the leader · rank #58 | $16,789 | $26,000 | $36,650 | 1,263 |
| 59 | Fortis College-Columbia Columbia, SC · Private for-profit | $20,404 36% of the leader · rank #59 | $19,599 | $12,547 | $33,189 | 513 |
| 60 | Presbyterian College Clinton, SC · Private nonprofit | $20,528 36% of the leader · rank #60 | $18,277 | $26,000 | $44,387 | 1,136 |
| 61 | Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Greenville Greenville, SC · Private for-profit | $20,540 36% of the leader · rank #61 | $18,976 | $6,333 | $22,309 | 133 |
| 62 | Morris College Sumter, SC · Private nonprofit | $20,555 36% of the leader · rank #62 | $20,485 | $31,400 | $24,250 | 421 |
| 63 | Citadel Military College of South Carolina Charleston, SC · Public | $20,723 35% of the leader · rank #63 | $15,430 | $21,096 | $60,168 | 3,727 |
| 64 | North Greenville University Tigerville, SC · Private nonprofit | $21,063 34% of the leader · rank #64 | $18,947 | $23,082 | $38,173 | 2,219 |
| 65 | Newberry College Newberry, SC · Private nonprofit | $21,656 32% of the leader · rank #65 | $19,887 | $26,805 | $38,983 | 1,507 |
| 66 | Charleston Southern University North Charleston, SC · Private nonprofit | $21,666 32% of the leader · rank #66 | $20,145 | $26,471 | $40,606 | 3,545 |
| 67 | Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Florence Florence, SC · Private for-profit | $21,962 31% of the leader · rank #67 | $20,713 | $8,661 | $17,656 | 178 |
| 68 | Clemson University Clemson, SC · Public | $22,253 30% of the leader · rank #68 | $13,607 | $21,500 | $58,311 | 28,747 |
| 69 | University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia, SC · Public | $22,811 29% of the leader · rank #69 | $12,634 | $21,500 | $50,621 | 36,579 |
| 70 | Converse University Spartanburg, SC · Private nonprofit | $23,283 27% of the leader · rank #70 | $14,137 | $27,000 | $33,110 | 1,341 |
| 71 | Anderson University Anderson, SC · Private nonprofit | $23,544 26% of the leader · rank #71 | $17,188 | $26,700 | $42,073 | 4,325 |
| 72 | Galen Health Institutes-Myrtle Beach Myrtle Beach, SC · Private for-profit | $25,662 20% of the leader · rank #72 | $24,977 | $24,166 | $58,951 | 629 |
| 73 | Columbia International University Columbia, SC · Private nonprofit | $26,036 18% of the leader · rank #73 | $21,955 | $20,000 | $33,929 | 2,631 |
| 74 | Arclabs Piedmont, SC · Private for-profit | $26,608 17% of the leader · rank #74 | $26,334 | $9,500 | - | 643 |
| 75 | South University-Columbia Columbia, SC · Private for-profit | $27,693 13% of the leader · rank #75 | $26,588 | $26,123 | $34,115 | 509 |
| 76 | Furman University Greenville, SC · Private nonprofit | $30,308 5% of the leader · rank #76 | $16,401 | $23,250 | $50,796 | 2,505 |
| 77 | American College of the Building Arts Charleston, SC · Private nonprofit | $30,403 5% of the leader · rank #77 | $27,879 | $12,500 | - | 140 |
| 78 | Southeastern College-Charleston North Charleston, SC · Private for-profit | $31,105 4% of the leader · rank #78 | $30,328 | $9,500 | $28,950 | 232 |
| 79 | Barber Tech Academy Orangeburg, SC · Private for-profit | $31,354 4% of the leader · rank #79 | $31,354 | - | - | 67 |
| 80 | Southeastern College-Columbia Columbia, SC · Private for-profit | $31,941 4% of the leader · rank #80 | $31,086 | $9,500 | $26,719 | 249 |
Related
What this means for you
Use South Carolina's ranking as a starting point, real net price depends on your specific financial-aid package.
- Trident Technical College reports the lowest average net price in South Carolina, but "average" blends every income bracket, check your bracket's figure before assuming it applies to you. View Trident Technical College
- See your specific school's in-state cost rank and nearest-price peers. My School Profile
- Compare campus safety alongside cost before deciding. South Carolina safety
Figures reflect the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard IPEDS 2022–23 release.
Average net price = the institution-reported average amount students actually paid after all grant and scholarship aid, excluding loans. Only schools with a reported average net price in the DOE College Scorecard dataset are ranked. Schools with fewer than 10 net-price-reporting institutions in a state or territory are not given a dedicated ranking page.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard IPEDS 2022–23
Every figure on PlainCampus is rendered directly from federal Clery Act source data, no number is typed in by an editor. Every ranked figure on this page is queried directly from the DOE College Scorecard dataset at request time; no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.
PlainCampus is for informational purposes only and does not constitute safety, security, legal, or enrollment advice; the data describes reported on-campus activity, it is not a complete picture of safety at any campus and cannot predict any individual student's experience. See our appropriate use guidance.