South Carolina Public Colleges and Universities

Public Colleges in South Carolina

South Carolina Public Colleges and Universities - University of South Carolina Columbia (Columbia) Main Library

While academic and athletic excellence are very important to South Carolina public colleges, many of your adventures will take place away from campus. That's because South Carolina has beautiful towns, the historic city of Charleston, beaches, hiking trails, and tourist attractions all over the state.  Move inland, and you'll find state parks, scenic mountains, and more than public and private golf courses. You would be in the minority if you did not take advantage of what South Carolina had to offer in the way of fun, excitement, and entertainment. Enrollment at colleges and universities in South Carolina increased six percent in fall 2009, a notable amount compared to the national enrollment increase of 1.5 percent.

Looking for a South Carolina Public College?

The state has 13 public and 38 private colleges and universities, as well as 62 community and technical colleges. The University of South Carolina in Columbia is the largest university in the state. Trident Technical College in North Charleston is the largest two-year college. The smallest institution is W. L. Bonner College, a Oneness Pentecostal-affiliated seminary. The oldest institution is the College of Charleston, founded in 1770 and chartered in 1785.

The majority of colleges and universities in South Carolina are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. South Carolina's postsecondary system is managed by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education(SCCHE).

Schools within the University of South Carolina System include:

  • University of South Carolina Columbia (Columbia)
  • University of South Carolina Upstate (Spartanburg)
  • University of South Carolina Aiken (Aiken)
  • University of South Carolina Beaufort (Beaufort)

Some Publically Funded Schools include:

  • The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina (Charleston)
  • South Carolina State University (Orangeburg)
  • Lander University (Greenwood)
  • College of Charleston (Charleston)
  • Coastal Carolina University Conway
  • Francis Marion University Florence
  • University of South Carolina Upstate Spartanburg
  • Winthrop University Rock Hill Public

Of the colleges and universities in South Carolina, the most popular being University of South Carolina Columbia. Winthrop University is the most expensive public school in South Carolina.

The Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston and the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in Columbia are the only allopathic medical schools in the state and are accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)

In the vibrant state of South Carolina, the distance learning programs and online colleges offer you a first class educational opportunity. Become part of a longstanding tradition of academic excellence. South Carolina ranks 40th out of the 50 states in percentage of people with a bachelor's degree. Explore your academic options and find the right program for you.



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