How many HBCUs are in South Carolina?

South Carolina is home to eight historically Black colleges and universities: Allen University, Benedict College, Claflin University, Clinton College, Denmark Technical College, Morris College, South Carolina State University, and Voorhees College.

Is community college free in South Carolina?

Community college is not universally free in South Carolina, but you can get extensive tuition assistance from state programs or choose an institution that offers no-tuition access. South Carolina's Lottery Tuition Assistance Program is specifically designed for students at two-year schools, and Spartanburg Community College offers tuition-free enrollment to eligible students.

How do I get in-state tuition in South Carolina?

You must live in South Carolina for at least 12 consecutive months to qualify for in-state tuition rates at public schools. To support your status, you may need to prove that you reside in the state full time, produce a valid South Carolina driver's license or vehicle registration card, or pay state income taxes in South Carolina.

What states have tuition reciprocity with South Carolina?

Other participating ACM states include Arkansas, Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. North Carolina used to be part of the ACM, but withdrew from the compact in 2011.

What jobs are in demand in South Carolina?

Projections Central includes nurse practitioners, data scientists, information security analysts, software developers, and personal financial advisors among the fastest-growing South Carolina jobs for the 2022-2032 period. These roles require a college degree and are projected to employ at least 1,000 people in South Carolina by 2032.

Discover The Best Online Colleges In South Carolina

Key Takeaways

Nearly 200,000 of South Carolinians aged 18-24 hold at least an associate degree or some college experience, and the state aims to increase the percentage of South Carolinians with a college education from 46.8% as of 2020 to 60% by 2030.
Most colleges in South Carolina are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
South Carolina participates in the Academic Common Market, which allows non-residents to enroll in eligible programs in South Carolina and pay in-state tuition.

South Carolina is home to a growing job market and historic Southern charm, beautiful coastal beaches and a pleasant climate. By enrolling in an online college in South Carolina, you can take advantage of these perks and build the skills necessary for a rewarding career.

This state-specific guide examines top online colleges, accreditation standards, average costs, and potential career paths. Consider your goals, and explore how an online college in South Carolina can help you reach them.

South Carolina at a Glance

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), there are 38 nonprofit four-year institutions in South Carolina.
Per the U.S. Census Bureau, around 33% of adults in the state hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
In fall 2023, 56% of students at South Carolina institutions were enrolled in online courses, according to NCES.
Per NCES, in fall 2023, there were over 59,000 students aged 25 and older enrolled at South Carolina colleges.

5 Best Online Colleges in South Carolina

Who Accredits Online Colleges in South Carolina?

To ensure the validity of your academic credits and your federal financial aid eligibility, you must attend an accredited institution.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) has traditionally been the main accrediting body for South Carolina schools. Ensure that any school you consider is accredited by either SACSCOC or another recognized accreditor.

How Much Does College Cost in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, you can generally expect to pay above-average tuition rates at public institutions and below-average rates at private institutions. The state's participation in the Southern Regional Education Board's Academic Common Market (ACM) can provide relief to out-of-state students from other ACM states who study at public South Carolina colleges.

Regardless of the institution type you choose, you will likely face significant out-of-pocket costs to earn your degree. If you need help covering those costs, consider these state-backed programs:

The merit-based SC Hope Scholarship Program for first-year college students
The LIFE Scholarship, which provides up to $5,000 in non-repayable aid to applicants with high academic achievement
The Lottery Tuition Assistance Program for students at two-year institutions

You can connect with these and many other state-backed scholarship and grant programs through the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. Note that you must be a South Carolina resident to qualify for most aid options.

Career Opportunities in South Carolina

$44,760
Median annual wage in SC (May 2024)

+11.1%
Projected job growth in SC (2022-2032)

4.3%
Unemployment rate in SC (August 2025)

Source: BLS OEWS, Projections Central, BLS LAUS

Projections Central, a site funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, projects statewide job growth of more than 11% in South Carolina from 2022-2032, boosting the appeal of the state's labor market. You can take advantage of this trend by targeting a fast-growing career path when applying to online colleges in South Carolina.

For bachelor's degree graduates, the fastest-growing roles in South Carolina include data scientist, information security analyst, actuary, personal financial advisor, and software developer, per CareerOneStop.

Popular Cities for Recent Grads

Charleston

A historic city known for its architecture and tourism industry
The Charleston area has a large population of young adults.
Charleston County Economic Development reports that the city is seeing higher-than-average job growth.

Columbia

South Carolina's capital, with many government jobs
Columbia also has a large young-adult population.
Though the city itself is relatively small, a population of more than five million people lives within a 60-minute drive.

Greenville

Noted for its booming arts and culture scene, located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains
The city is gaining recognition as one of the best places to live in the U.S.
Greenville's cost of living was 5.4% below the national average in 2024.