Furman tops WalletHub’s 2026 list of best colleges in South Carolina; Clemson, Wofford round out top three

With early-decision applications due Nov. 1 and the cost of a four-year education ranging from $24,920 to $58,600 per year, South Carolina families have fresh data to compare schools. WalletHub’s newly released 2026 Best College & University Rankings analyzed nearly 800 institutions nationwide across 30 indicators in seven categories — from student-faculty ratio and graduation rate to student-loan default rates and post-attendance earnings — to surface the best value in higher education.

Top 10 in South Carolina

1. Furman University

2. Clemson University

3. Wofford College

4. University of South Carolina – Columbia

5. Presbyterian College

6. North Greenville University

7. Anderson University

8. The Citadel

9. College of Charleston

10. Winthrop University (Rock Hill)

What set the leaders apart

WalletHub’s composite scoring blends selectivity, cost/financing, faculty resources, campus safety, career outcomes and more. Here’s how the top three South Carolina schools performed on several key metrics (rankings below reflect in-state comparisons; 1 = best, 10 = average, 20 = worst among S.C. peers):

• School Snapshot: Furman University (1 = Best; 10 = Average; 20 = Worst):
  • 2^nd – Admission Rate
  • 20^th – Net Cost
  • 1^st – Student-Faculty Ratio
  • 19^th – On-Campus Crime
  • 14^th – Gender & Racial Diversity
  • 2^nd – Graduation Rate
  • 4^th – Post-Attendance Median Salary

  School Snapshot: Clemson University (1 = Best; 10 = Average; 20 = Worst):

  • 1^st – Admission Rate
  • 18^th – Net Cost
  • 16^th – Student-Faculty Ratio
  • 2^nd – On-Campus Crime
  • 15^th – Gender & Racial Diversity
  • 1^st – Graduation Rate
  • 2^nd – Post-Attendance Median Salary

  School Snapshot: Wofford College (1 = Best; 10 = Average; 20 = Worst):

  • 4^th – Admission Rate
  • 19^th – Net Cost
  • 4^th – Student-Faculty Ratio
  • 15^th – On-Campus Crime
  • 17^th – Gender & Racial Diversity
  • 2^nd – Graduation Rate
  • 3^rd – Post-Attendance Median Salary

Why it matters for South Carolina students

• Value vs. price: WalletHub’s methodology aims to balance affordability (net cost, aid, debt) with outcomes (graduation and earnings), giving families a fuller picture than sticker price alone.

• Local note: Winthrop University lands in the state top 10, a point of pride for York County families looking to stay close to home for a four-year degree.

• Safety & outcomes gaps: The study highlights substantial spreads between the safest and least-safe campuses and between schools with the highest and lowest graduation rates — differences that can reshape the real cost and payoff of a degree.

How WalletHub built the rankings

Researchers compiled federal and third-party data, weighting seven pillars — Student Selectivity, Cost & Financing, Faculty Resources, Campus Safety, Campus Experience, Educational Outcomes, and Career Outcomes — to produce overall scores and separate lists for colleges and for universities. The national report also breaks out best- and worst-performing schools on specific indicators like admission rate, student-to-faculty ratio and graduation rate.

Sources: WalletHub, “College & University Rankings (2026)” (published Oct. 13, 2025), including methodology and cost context referencing College Board estimates.