Best Nursing Schools in South Carolina for 2023

Nursing Degrees & Schools / Best Schools South Carolina

In addition to its pleasant beaches and big forests, South Carolina has an increasing number of highly-educated nurses. According to the South Carolina Office for Healthcare Workforce, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommended that 80% of registered nurses have a BSN degree, and the state had reached approximately 54% by 2018.

This may be explained by several factors, including a competitive salary and nursing programs with accelerated options. Check out our list of the best nursing programs in South Carolina.

South Carolina’s top nursing program:

1. University of South Carolina 
2. Clemson University
3. Medical University of South Carolina
4. Francis Marion University
5. Lander University
6. University of South Carolina Upstate
7. University of South Carolina Aiken
8. University of South Carolina Beaufort
9. Anderson University
10. Charleston Southern University

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1. University of South Carolina — Score 72

NCLEX pass rate: 99.58%

In-state annual tuition: $12,688

Out-of-state annual tuition: $33,928

The University of South Carolina has the top 1% NCLEX Pass Rate for registered nurses, and its master’s degree in nursing is ranked No. 33 by U.S. News & World Report. Online courses are available for its masters, certificate of graduate studies and DNP programs to provide flexibility for working nurses. The nursing school also offers students the opportunity to study abroad, and it has accelerated BSN and MSN programs.

Online classes: yes 

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• MSN
• DNP
• PGC APRN

Graduation rate: 73%

Programs offered:

• BSN
• MSN
• FNP
• DNP

2. Clemson University — Score 71

NCLEX pass rate: 95.41%

In-state annual tuition: $15,558

Out-of-state annual tuition: $38,550

The Clemson University School of Nursing is known for providing high-quality equipment, such as virtual reality simulators, to help students learn better. It’s also recognized by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and its students have an almost 100% job placement rate within three months of graduation. The nursing school offers an accelerated second degree nursing program.

Online classes: yes 

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• MSN
• DNP

Graduation rate: 82%

Programs offered:

• BSN
• MSN
• DNP
• PhD
• RNBS

3. Medical University of South Carolina — Score 70

NCLEX pass rate: 98.39%

In-state annual tuition: $15,622

Out-of-state annual tuition: $28,184

The Medical University of South Carolina’s RN to BSN program was ranked No. 3 in Best Online Bachelor’s Programs by U.S. News & World Report in 2022. The nursing school also launched the first Post-Masters to Doctor of Nursing Practice, Lifespan in Palliative Care in the country in 2020.

Online classes: yes 

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• MSN
• DNP

Graduation rate: 94%

Programs offered:

• BSN
• ABSN
• RN to BSN
• DNP
• PhD

4. Francis Marion University — Score 63

NCLEX pass rate: 93.33%

In-state annual tuition: $24,354

Out-of-state annual tuition: $48,708

Francis Marion University’s nursing school has been recognized as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League of Nursing since 2018. Its nursing master’s program was also named one of the best by U.S. News & World Report.

Online classes: yes 

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• MSN
• DNP

Graduation rate: 56%

Programs offered:

• BSN
• RN to BSN
• DNP
• MSN to FNP
• MSN-NE
• MSN to PMHNP

5. Lander University — Score 62

NCLEX pass rate: 97.62%

In-state annual tuition: $11,700

Out-of-state annual tuition: $21,300

The Lander University School of Nursing builds its curriculum on the Neuman Systems Model, a guideline focused on producing positive patient experience. It also offers bridge programs for students from the South Carolina State Technical College system.

Online classes: yes 

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• MSN

Graduation rate: 47%

Programs offered:

• BSPH
• BSN
• RN to BSN
• MSN

6. University of South Carolina Upstate — Score 50

NCLEX pass rate: 83.44%

In-state annual tuition: $11,208

Out-of-state annual tuition: $22,710

This university offers a dual degree in biology and nursing, which could be suitable if you want to become a nurse in an academic environment. In addition, the University of South Carolina Upstate has partnerships with dozens of organizations to improve quality care. The school’s BSN program includes pre-licensure and RN-BSN tracks, making it one of the largest in the state, and its employment rate is 100%.

Online classes: yes 

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• MSN

Graduation rate: 55%

Programs offered:

• BSN
• MSN
• RN to BSN

7. University of South Carolina Aiken — Score 49

NCLEX pass rate: 92.31%

In-state annual tuition: $10,398

Out-of-state annual tuition: $20,856

The University of South Carolina Aiken School of Nursing was considered one of the top 10 nursing schools in the state and one of the best colleges in 2021-2022. It also ranks No. 17 in the Regional Colleges South ranking by U.S. News & World Report. The school invests not only in traditional education models, but also realistic simulation and highly practical activities.

Online classes: yes 

The CCNE-accredited program for nursing students is the BSN, and the ACEN-accredited programs are:

• PN
• ADN

Graduation rate: 46%

Programs offered:

• BSN
• RN to BSN

8. University of South Carolina Beaufort — Score 45

NCLEX pass rate: 91.43%

In-state annual tuition: $10,344

Out-of-state annual tuition: $21,390

If you decide to attend the University of South Carolina Beaufort, you’ll have the opportunity to study abroad in countries like Nepal and Ghana. The school also has a community service initiative with the Student Nurses’ Association (SNA), which offers membership benefits to students in addition to personal and professional experience through volunteering.

Online classes: no 

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN

Graduation rate: 36%

Programs offered:

• BSN
• Honors Program

9. Anderson University — Score 43

NCLEX pass rate: 88.24%

In-state annual tuition: $30,860

Out-of-state annual tuition: $30,860

Anderson’s School of Nursing has the only cadaver lab in South Carolina that is exclusive to  nursing students and it also has a full-body simulator lab. The U.S. News & World Report ranked its DNP program as one of the best. In addition, it offers bridge programs for students from four different universities, including Greenville Technical College and TriCounty Technical College.

Online classes: yes 

The CCNE-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• MSN
• DNP
• PGC APRN

Graduation rate: 55%

Programs offered:

• BSN
• ABSN 
• MSN
• RN to BSN

10. Charleston Southern University — Score 49

NCLEX pass rate: 82.09%

In-state annual tuition: $28,630

Out-of-state annual tuition: $28,630

Charleston Southern University’s nursing school is a member of the National League for Nursing and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Its bachelors and master’s programs are accredited by the SACS.

Online classes: no

The ACEN-accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• MSN

Graduation rate: 40%

Programs offered:

• BSN
• ABSN

Table

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How to choose the right nursing program

It can be overwhelming to decide which nursing program is right for you, as there are so many possibilities and benefits to consider. Find out some of the most important factors that might influence this decision.

Location

Be aware of the location of the nursing school, especially the distance between the university and the clinical settings where practical activities take place. Even if the school offers online classes, you may need to physically visit it a couple of times to resolve any issues.

Tuition

Beyond tuition fees, some schools offer financial aid like grants and scholarships. There is also the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is a form that gives you the possibility of getting a loan from the federal government to help pay for college. If you save money while studying, you may be able to invest it in your career in the future, such as by earning a postgraduate degree.

NCLEX pass rate

The NCLEX exam is the final step to becoming a nurse after completing your studies. This is why you should look for schools that have at least a 90% pass rate and that provide preparation resources.

Programs offered

Sometimes you already know your dream school, but it is always worth it to check what programs are offered. Examples of questions you have to ask yourself are: how long does the program take, what’s its classroom structure and what are the job opportunities in the state.

Graduation rate

The graduation rate of a nursing program, which is based on the percent of undergraduate students who complete the program in six to eight years, can reveal a lot about its quality. The higher, the better, as it indicates success with the education provided.

Next steps

By following simple steps, knowing the leading schools and the above-listed factors, you could enter the best nursing program for you in South Carolina. List your financial options, your priorities — if you want to work directly in a hospital or if you want to be a professor, for example — and the state employment rates.

After you graduate, check the Incredible Health blog. We have useful resources that will help your career. 

You’ll also need to apply for licensure — paying for your NCLEX exam, the application fee and the temporary license. Read our guide to learn more about nursing licensure and certification in South Carolina. 

In addition, you’ll have to familiarize yourself with the state’s requirements for continuing education unit (CEU) credits. We offer free South Carolina CEU courses to help you continue studying after graduating.

Still have questions? Fast-track your career by consulting experienced nurses in South Carolina.

Methodology

In order to determine the best nursing schools in a state, Incredible Health compared the top schools among five categories: graduation rate, tuition, NCLEX pass rate, accreditation, and the number of nursing programs offered.

Each metric was scored on a 100-point scale with 100 representing the highest total for that category. Then we compiled the individual scores to get an overall score.

We used data from: 

• University of South Carolina
• Clemson University
• Medical University of South Carolina
• Francis Marion University
• Lander University 
• University of South Carolina Upstate
• University of South Carolina Aiken
• University of South Carolina Beaufort
• Anderson University
• Charleston Southern University
• South Carolina Board of Nursing
• U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing
• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
• U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings