SmartAsset recently released their second annual Best Value Colleges study. Top performing schools ranked as a result of their performance in categories including scholarships provided, starting salary, tuition, living costs, and retention rate.
For a look the top schools in South Carolina, check out the table below:
| Rank | School | City | Avg. Scholar- ships & Grants | Avg. Starting Salary | College Tuition* | Student Living Costs | Student Retention Rate | College Education Value Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Citadel Military College of South Carolina | Charleston, SC | $10,821 | $58,800 | $11,734 | $16,104 | 85% | 53.29 |
| 2 | Clemson University | Clemson, SC | $9,810 | $56,300 | $14,708 | $13,954 | 93% | 52.32 |
| 3 | University of South Carolina-Columbia | Columbia, SC | $5,814 | $49,000 | $11,454 | $14,834 | 88% | 35.70 |
| 4 | Wofford College | Spartanburg, SC | $28,158 | $49,300 | $40,245 | $15,289 | 89% | 33.38 |
| 5 | Furman University | Greenville, SC | $30,434 | $49,600 | $47,164 | $15,854 | 93% | 31.64 |
| 6 | College of Charleston | Charleston, SC | $8,583 | $46,000 | $11,805 | $17,184 | 78% | 25.23 |
| 7 | University of South Carolina-Upstate | Spartanburg, SC | $7,674 | $45,300 | $11,190 | $13,071 | 68% | 25.04 |
| 8 | Winthrop University | Rock Hill, SC | $10,210 | $43,200 | $14,810 | $12,822 | 76% | 24.63 |
| 9 | Coastal Carolina University | Conway, SC | $7,683 | $43,600 | $10,876 | $14,206 | 67% | 20.44 |
| 10 | Francis Marion University | Florence, SC | $8,123 | $41,900 | $10,428 | $12,263 | 65% | 20.00 |
More details on the study, including the methodology and interactive map can be found here: http://smartasset.com/student-loans/student-loan-calculator#southcarolina
Please let me know if you would like any additional information regarding the study, and I am happy to help.
