25 Best Universities In South Carolina For International Students 2026

South Carolina is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in United States. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 33 universities and colleges in South Carolina, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 33 universities in South Carolina, University of South Carolina and Clemson University are the top-performing schools in South Carolina. This list covers both public and private institutions in South Carolina.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in South Carolina. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in South Carolina.

How do I get admission to the best universities in South Carolina?

Applying to the universities in South Carolina involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in South Carolina to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in South Carolina?

Tuition fees at South Carolina’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 9,800 USD to 61,100 USD , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 4,980 USD to 39,100 USD. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in South Carolina!

As we cover the best universities in South Carolina for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in South Carolina for International Students

The University of South Carolina is the state’s oldest educational institution, granting access to quality tertiary education since 1801. A prominent university with a global influence in research and innovation, the University of South Carolina offers over 350 degree programs in medicine, engineering, business, and social sciences. It also houses the largest Ernest Hemingway literary collection.

Clemson University is one of the biggest institutions in South Carolina, with a huge campus that consists of seven colleges, two schools, and over 25,000 local and international students from all over the world. The university is known for being very selective and for having student traditions that have survived for over a century. Their education encompasses high-quality training and innovative research that is performed in their Experimental Forest.

The Medical University of South Carolina opened in 1824 as a private medical college. Over the years, the university became a public university focusing on physician and medical professional training. At present, the university has more than 3,000 students.

College of Charleston offers almost 70 undergraduate programs and 22 master’s degree programs across its eight schools and one college. This is one of the oldest universities in the US as it was founded more than 250 years ago. The college is known for having small class sizes and offering unique research opportunities in its 19 centers and institutes. Their teaching methods follow the experiential learning approach, which includes internship opportunities, working with professionals, participating in student organizations, volunteering, being part of leadership programs, and spending some time studying in another country.

Furman University is considered the oldest private higher education institution in South Carolina. It warmly welcomes students from all over the world and provides a one-of-a-kind university experience. The university takes pride in its field-based learning and personalized industry mentoring.

The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, is an institution that primarily trains aspiring military students. Years after its establishment, it has started to expand its class offerings and begun to cater to non-military programs. The school has grown over the years and has deeply improved to keep up with the competitiveness of other educational institutes.

Coastal Carolina University was established due to the proposal of local citizens to create a local college. The college started with 53 students and awarded 5 associate degree graduates by 1959. Beginning the year 1962, the university continued to expand and build more buildings and facilities, which ultimately led to the university becoming a residential university that started with a 350-bed capacity.

Winthrop University was founded in 1886 initially as a teacher’s college and then expanded into a comprehensive university. It now offers over 60 academic programs in a wide range of disciplines. The university has been ranked among the leading academic institutions in the region for more than 20 years.

Wofford College, a private liberal arts college founded in 1854, offers a rich academic experience on a beautiful campus in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The college makes a great effort to provide its students with the best opportunities and education quality by maintaining an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

South Carolina State University has maintained its legacy of excellence in providing good education. A lot of scholars and industry leaders have graduated from the university, signifying its curriculum’s effectiveness in the student’s success. The university continues to create a safe and productive learning environment in the state where students are given equal opportunities to achieve their dreams.

Lander University is divided into five colleges and one school that offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees in more than 50 areas of study. It also has an online college with multiple degree and non-degree options. The university focuses on giving students a comprehensive learning experience in classes during the spring and fall semesters, while it provides internship opportunities and study-abroad programs during the summer term. As for non-academic options, Lander University has more than 60 student organizations and multiple sports teams.

Charleston Southern University was initially founded by the South Carolina Baptist Convention as the Baptist College at Charleston, in response to the need to for another college in 1964. 17 majors were initially offered in the institution, followed by the opening of graduate programs in various colleges. The then Baptist College at Charleston was finally awarded university status in 1990, changing its name to the Charleston Southern University. The university continues to flourish in its academic excellence and development while maintaining a Christian environment for its students, faculty, and staff.

University of South Carolina Aiken is best for students interested in attaining comprehensive and exceptional degrees. Its commitment to transformative teaching distinguishes USC Aiken through high-impact learning practices. The university promotes excellence in analysis and creative pursuits and prepares students for success.

Although Bob Jones University is a Christian institution, it is non-denominational. Thus, it is not affiliated with a specific religious organization, society, or denomination. Still, BJU molds its students to serve Christ with liberal arts training. As a relatively small institution, it maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1.

University of South Carolina-Upstate (USC Upstate) was established in 1967 to educate an increasing number of nursing students in South Carolina. Today, the institution has become one of the most highly rated public universities in the South, offering numerous academic programs. Moreover, the university has been acknowledged for its high standards of teaching and research.

Francis Marion University is one of the few public universities that have a hefty tuition fee amount for their prospective students. However, this expensive tuition fee comes with the benefit of a comfortable and excellent student life in the area of academics, social, and sports. This is proven through its student population of 4200 students, multiple honors programs, and service programs that cover counseling, healthcare, dining, and recreation.  While fairly young compared to other higher educational institutions. Francis Marion University’s large constituency, partnership exchange programs with international universities, and national accreditations are a testament to its performance and demand for education from the youth.

Presbyterian College is a private institution that welcomes students from all backgrounds. In terms of academics, the college offers 30 bachelor’s degree programs with multiple concentrations. It also has pre-professional and dual-degree programs, along with doctoral degrees in different fields of health sciences. Although it doesn’t have any master’s programs, the college has partnered with other universities to offer graduate studies for those who completed their bachelor’s degrees. Additionally, education here focuses on having diverse work and academic experience, which is why students are required to participate in an internship, a research project, or study abroad.

While the school has had its roots dug deep 200 years ago, the University of South Carolina Beaufort was only established around 69 years ago as an excellent higher education institution that can compete with Ivy League universities. Its degree programs offered are rather limited, with only 19 Bachelor’s degree programs and 2 Master’s degree programs. However, what their service lacks in quantity is compensated for by their quality of service. The mission of the university is to create a diverse and inclusive community that engages in rigorous and innovative research for the world. The vision they have for individuals is to provide core values of cultural appreciation, academic excellence, resourcefulness, engagement, and partnerships, as well as student success, that help them achieve their mission.

Founded in 1869, Claflin University is the first private institution in South Carolina to admit students from all backgrounds. It is evident that multiculturalism is still heavily promoted today as the university’s student body and academic staff come from different countries and nationalities. In addition, the university has a close-knit community where students will be aided by the faculty, as well as students supporting each other.

Voorhees University was primarily an institution that only offered undergraduate education. Recently, it has progressed and now provides graduate studies, expanding its academic excellence. The university is eager to innovate to inspire more students.

Anderson University (AU) has transformed countless students since its inception in 1911. As it aims to provide a unique academic experience to its students, the university is always finding ways to improve the quality of education and continues to develop innovative and future-oriented programs. It is fully committed to providing exemplary education and numerous opportunities to aid in developing students’ talents and skills needed for their future careers.

Benedict College was primarily an educational institution that offered undergraduate degrees. Recently, it has decided to open master’s courses in order to attract and train more students worldwide. The institution actively participates in national and foreign research activities, enabling its students to gain exposure to the actual industry and explore more career opportunities.

Columbia College in South Carolina provides online, hybrid, and on-campus undergraduate and graduate level programs for students in and out of the United States. Founded in 1854, its 167 longstanding higher educational services have allowed them to be regionally, nationally, and internationally recognized by various organizations like the U.S. News and World Reports. The vision of the school is to empower students capable of innovation, commitment, social justice, service, and leadership as translated by their academic excellence and experience in the community.

For those who are interested in receiving an education that follows the values of Christianity, Columbia International University is the perfect place for obtaining a degree. This private institution offers 22 bachelor’s degree programs and about 30 master’s degree programs that are available in multiple Christian-related areas, like Chaplaincy and Ministry Studies. Its five colleges have small-sized classes for all majors, which are focused on covering biblical studies and exploring Christian principles. This means that no matter what area of study you choose, Columbia International University will show you the path to explore your faith with the support of its closed-knitted community.

Newberry College is a Lutheran private college in Newberry, South Carolina. It was founded in 1856 by Rev. John Bachman, a Charleston minister. Newberry College’s mission is to prepare students in the Lutheran liberal arts tradition for intellectual and personal development, as well as engaged citizenship in a global society, through a supportive academic community.