nursingadmissionscareersSouth Carolina

Best Nursing Schools in South Carolina: Programs, Tuition & How to Apply

GradeToGrad Editorial Team

February 23, 2026

South Carolina has 15 nursing programs from $4,448 at Tri-County Tech to $33,580 at Anderson University, with graduates earning up to $136,145.

Overview of Nursing Education in South Carolina

South Carolina offers 15 nursing programs across 8 community colleges and 7 universities. The state is known for affordable community college options — several under $5,000/year — and strong university programs at USC Columbia and Clemson. South Carolina's growing population and healthcare expansion in Charleston, Greenville, and Columbia fuel consistent nursing demand.

Top University Nursing Programs

University of South Carolina-Columbia leads with Graduate Certificate nursing programs and graduates earning $136,145/year. In-state tuition is $12,688 with a 61.5% acceptance rate and 78.0% graduation rate.

Clemson University offers Master's-level nursing at $15,554/year with graduates earning $98,373/year. With a 38.0% acceptance rate and 86.6% graduation rate, Clemson is the most selective nursing program in the state.

Anderson University provides Master's nursing programs with the second-highest earnings at $107,986/year, though tuition is $33,580.

Coastal Carolina University (Conway) offers BSN programs at $11,640/year, and USC Upstate (Spartanburg) provides BSN at $11,583 — both solid regional options.

Community College Nursing Programs

South Carolina's community colleges are remarkably affordable:

Tri-County Technical College (Pendleton): $4,448/year, graduates earn $59,913
Horry-Georgetown Technical College (Conway): $4,468/year, $55,714 earnings
Trident Technical College (Charleston): $4,564/year, $67,607 earnings — highest CC nursing earnings in the state
Midlands Technical College (West Columbia): $4,788/year, $60,503 earnings
Spartanburg Community College: $5,046/year, $57,729 earnings

All of these are under $5,100/year — some of the most affordable nursing education in the Southeast.

How to Choose the Right Program

Most affordable: Tri-County Tech at $4,448/year
Best CC outcomes: Trident Tech in Charleston ($67,607 earnings)
Best university value: USC Columbia ($12,688 tuition, $136,145 earnings)
Most selective: Clemson (38% acceptance, 86.6% graduation rate)

Nursing Job Market in South Carolina

Charleston's MUSC Health, Greenville's Prisma Health, and Columbia's Lexington Medical Center anchor the state's nursing employment. South Carolina's coastal retirement communities also drive demand for home health and long-term care nurses.

Financial Aid

SC Need-Based Grants and LIFE Scholarship for state residents
Lottery Tuition Assistance — helps cover tuition at technical colleges
Palmetto Fellows Scholarship — merit-based for top students

Next Steps

Compare South Carolina nursing programs on GradeToGrad.