2024 Best Colleges for Low-Income Students in South Carolina

• Greenville, SC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.63 out of 5  600 reviews

Freshman: Within the first two weeks of my college experience, Furman University truly became my home! Its community, I believe, is what sets it apart from all the other colleges I had been considering. Whenever I am surrounded by my fellow students, friends, professors, or staff members, I always feel loved, welcomed, and heard. I feel that Furman exceeds in the following categories: academics, campus life/scenery, professors, and student life. There are so many incredible things to do on campus and in class each day. I love feeling engaged and partaking in activities that I know are rewarding and helping my community in some capacity. I feel that the academic and social value of Furman University cannot be matched by any other school! Go Dins!... Read 600 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 71%

• Net price $33,999

• SAT range 1240-1420

• Lancaster, SC•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  185 reviews

Sophomore: The professors at the University of South Carolina Lancaster are very invested in the individual student. The class sizes are typically very small, so there is a significant amount of personalized instruction. The campus does lack dorms and any where to eat, although you can purchase items at the book store (at pretty high prices). The online classes are just as good as the in person classes as far as the instructor and materials go. Most of the students are extremely friendly, and despite the lack of dorms and such there is still a social atmosphere on campus. The academic success center is very helpful and they have tutors in most of the classes that you will take. All in all, great!... Read 185 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 88%

• Net price $10,531

• SAT range 910-1090

• Sumter, SC•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.17 out of 5  84 reviews

Sophomore: USC Sumter offers a solid pathway for students to complete their first two years of classes, achieving an associates degree and gathering valuable experience regarding college life, which will be useful for when they eventually transfer. The school offers a wide variety of classes and provides access to many extracurricular events and activities at a lower than average college tuition. Overall, USC Sumter is a good option for those wanting an average college experience in conjunction with pursuing their academic goals for the best price. One flaw to USC is a lack of diversity in secondary languages, a degree requirement. USC Sumter only offers language courses for Spanish, while even local high schools offer French courses.... Read 84 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 84%

• Net price $9,494

• SAT range 920-1110

• Orangeburg, SC•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  103 reviews

Junior: My experience at Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College (OCTECH) was amazing. The instructors are incredible and easy to rely on in tough situations. The library provides amazing insights about what to use; on top of that, they are very organized and professional. Unlimited tools and quick knowledge that will push you forward in life. So far, this has been the best year with OCTECH in my life. If you wanna get you associates degree in any technical field, this is the place for you!!... Read 103 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $5,978

• SAT range —

• Aiken, SC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  720 reviews

Sophomore: I was able to make more connections than ever in my sophomore year. I was a Chemistry major and often stayed in the study room to talk to class mates or do work. All the Chemistry and Physics professors want you to succeed more than anything. If you put in the effort, show your face, and communicate to those in the department, then success is sure to follow. They all have their own teaching methods that work well for most in the small classroom environment. Group study sessions helped me understand Organic Chemistry very well. Connecting with my classmates and having classmates that were willing to study as hard as I was, really helped keep me motivated as the semester came to a close. I was able to pass Organic Chemistry with an A plus all thanks to the professors and classmates I had. The USC Aiken chemistry professors have tutoring hours almost every day in the library were students can have 1 on 1 conversations which are the most helpful tool given by the university.... Read 720 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 84%

• Net price $12,514

• SAT range 960-1170

• Florence, SC•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  328 reviews

Freshman: Well, I had in the pass taken courses for Early childhood Education and the experience was the most learning experience I ever had because Florence-Darlington Technical College treated me like a human. I loved everything about Florence-Darlington Technical College, they gave me the chance to learn something new, and now again they are willing to help learn even more about new things to keep up with the world today.... Read 328 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $1,491

• SAT range —

• Spartanburg, SC•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  331 reviews

Sophomore: Love it! Every representative works with you the whole time and makes the experience nice and personal each time, I am online but each teacher I've had worked with me to find the right times for my crazy schedule. I am very excited for my future and what is next in my life. I also love how this years tuition is free... Read 331 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $4,195

• SAT range —

• Graniteville, SC•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.85 out of 5  195 reviews

Sophomore: Aiken Technical College has provided a one stop shop for pursuing my Nursing degree. While taking my Pre-requisite courses online I was able to work and provide for my family. Now I have been accepted into the RN program for my associates degree. Their partnership with The University of Phoneix allows me to pursue my BSN by taking classes during the breaks ATC has. I would like to see more financial aid and loans available.... Read 195 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $4,033

• SAT range —

• Conway, SC•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  587 reviews

Sophomore: Horry-Georgetown Technical College is perfect for studying a specific subject you are passionate about pursuing professionally or just gaining your standard academic credits (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, History, etc.) to transfer them to a 4-year university. The academics here are great and the courses are quite flexible in terms of times of day and campus, whether that be in Georgetown, Myrtle Beach, Conway, or online. There is also a decent amount of diversity, and the prices are the best I've seen in the education world. If I could change anything about the college, I would increase student engagement, but Phi Theta Kappa is currently working on a student lounge to promote that! I love that the college president is always willing to listen to students and make adjustments to the college in order to make it a better experience for everyone.... Read 587 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $5,407

• SAT range —

• Sumter, SC•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.85 out of 5  262 reviews

Freshman: The teachers make the assignments interesting and easy to get students more involved and allow them to finish in time. It has great resources to help students succeed throughout their academic journey. Provides free tuition for students seeking affordable education as well as low tuition costs. Provides a number of different certifications for students wanting to attend a two year college. Allows students to attend for an associates degree causing them to also be able to transfer a large amount of credits over to a four year college if they were wanting to achieve in getting a bachelors degree in their major. Allows anyone with a 2.0 gpa or higher to attend, is adverse, accepts students with disabilities, and very easy to get in touch with or get with when reaching out to seek help. Very helpful with financial and registering for classes as students are able to either go to the school to seek for answers or just call from their device during weekdays.... Read 262 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $5,569

• SAT range —

• Kingstree, SC•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  28 reviews

Graduate Student: I attended Williamsburg technical college before transferring to a 4 year college. What I like about the college is the class size. It allows students to learn better and receive the help that they need with assignments. The staff members were very helpful with any questions or concerns that I had. Overall, it was a great experience.... Read 28 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,014

• SAT range —

• Spartanburg, SC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  206 reviews

Junior: Coming to SMC was the best choice for me. I came from a high school that didn’t care for me or my grades they just wanted money. At smc I had a hard time getting to understand the online classes but I was able to meet with my Advisor Brandon and he walked me through Brightspace. I also had to drop a class because it’s not how I was able to learn. I met with the professor and explained to why I had to drop (b/c you have to get them to sign a paper) and he listened about how the course was not set up for student success, he changed the whole course for the students and he is always asking me to come back to take his course. SMC professors are amazing I loved my English professor class so much I requested him 3 times. SMC is very affordable! You can come to smc and get free tuition if you graduated from a SC high school with a 3.0! When I graduate with my BA I’ll be sad to leave all of these because of the great experience SMC has gave me! I truly couldn’t have done it without SMC!... Read 206 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 80%

• Net price $14,899

• SAT range 820-1020