Ranking
Most Selective Colleges in South Carolina by Acceptance Rate 2026
The hardest South Carolina colleges to get into — ranked by lowest undergraduate acceptance.
- Schools ranked
- 25
- Cheapest net price
- $7,712
- Top earnings 10y
- $72,085
- Public / Private
- 15 / 10
Citadel Military College of South Carolina
B- Acceptance
- 22.7%
- Net price
- $20,723
- Earnings 10y
- $72,085
- Acceptance
- 22.7%
Clemson University
B- Acceptance
- 38.3%
- Net price
- $22,253
- Earnings 10y
- $71,513
- Acceptance
- 38.3%
Furman University
C- Acceptance
- 43%
- Net price
- $30,308
- Earnings 10y
- $68,635
- Acceptance
- 43%
Wofford College
B- Acceptance
- 51.9%
- Net price
- $18,732
- Earnings 10y
- $68,964
- Acceptance
- 51.9%
Anderson University
D- Acceptance
- 54.7%
- Net price
- $23,544
- Earnings 10y
- $42,101
- Acceptance
- 54.7%
College of Charleston
B- Acceptance
- 60%
- Net price
- $18,960
- Earnings 10y
- $56,416
- Acceptance
- 60%
University of South Carolina-Columbia
C- Acceptance
- 60.2%
- Net price
- $22,811
- Earnings 10y
- $62,177
- Acceptance
- 60.2%
University of South Carolina-Union
B- Acceptance
- 62.2%
- Net price
- $8,065
- Earnings 10y
- $33,699
- Acceptance
- 62.2%
Erskine College
B- Acceptance
- 62.7%
- Net price
- $16,525
- Earnings 10y
- $53,459
- Acceptance
- 62.7%
Claflin University
C- Acceptance
- 64.9%
- Net price
- $17,800
- Earnings 10y
- $40,304
- Acceptance
- 64.9%
North Greenville University
D- Acceptance
- 66.7%
- Net price
- $21,063
- Earnings 10y
- $43,035
- Acceptance
- 66.7%
University of South Carolina-Upstate
B- Acceptance
- 67.3%
- Net price
- $13,557
- Earnings 10y
- $48,587
- Acceptance
- 67.3%
Converse University
D- Acceptance
- 67.7%
- Net price
- $23,283
- Earnings 10y
- $40,867
- Acceptance
- 67.7%
Presbyterian College
C- Acceptance
- 68.4%
- Net price
- $20,528
- Earnings 10y
- $60,194
- Acceptance
- 68.4%
University of South Carolina Beaufort
B- Acceptance
- 72.5%
- Net price
- $14,656
- Earnings 10y
- $48,088
- Acceptance
- 72.5%
Allen University
C- Acceptance
- 72.5%
- Net price
- $10,972
- Earnings 10y
- $30,497
- Acceptance
- 72.5%
University of South Carolina-Sumter
A- Acceptance
- 74.1%
- Net price
- $7,712
- Earnings 10y
- $42,437
- Acceptance
- 74.1%
Coastal Carolina University
B- Acceptance
- 75.3%
- Net price
- $13,966
- Earnings 10y
- $47,258
- Acceptance
- 75.3%
University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie
B- Acceptance
- 76%
- Net price
- $9,229
- Earnings 10y
- $31,360
- Acceptance
- 76%
Spartanburg Methodist College
C- Acceptance
- 78.2%
- Net price
- $14,580
- Earnings 10y
- $42,895
- Acceptance
- 78.2%
University of South Carolina Aiken
B- Acceptance
- 78.5%
- Net price
- $11,641
- Earnings 10y
- $45,603
- Acceptance
- 78.5%
Winthrop University
B- Acceptance
- 79.3%
- Net price
- $15,343
- Earnings 10y
- $47,185
- Acceptance
- 79.3%
Lander University
C- Acceptance
- 81.3%
- Net price
- $15,363
- Earnings 10y
- $42,396
- Acceptance
- 81.3%
South Carolina State University
D- Acceptance
- 82.6%
- Net price
- $18,097
- Earnings 10y
- $38,262
- Acceptance
- 82.6%
University of South Carolina-Lancaster
B- Acceptance
- 83.4%
- Net price
- $9,801
- Earnings 10y
- $39,426
- Acceptance
- 83.4%
How we picked this list
This list starts with South Carolina colleges that report a standard admission rate, then sorts by acceptance rate. The set's average EduGradify ROI score is 7.73 (15 public, 10 private).
Every figure comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. See our full methodology for the formulas.
FAQ
Who leads this ranking?
Citadel Military College of South Carolina in Charleston, SC tops this ranking. Acceptance rate is 22.7%.
How does EduGradify pick this list?
We rank this set by acceptance using the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard — see our methodology for the full formula. No paid placements, no surveys.
How many South Carolina colleges are in this list?
33 South Carolina colleges qualified for this ranking based on available federal data.
What does net price mean here?
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — not the sticker price. It is reported by each college to the U.S. Department of Education.