2023 Top Private Universities in South Carolina

• Greenville, SC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.62 out of 5  595 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 595 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 71%

• Net price $33,999

• SAT range 1240-1420

• Greenville, SC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  1,100 reviews

Sophomore: Bob Jones has a great staff! All of the professors are very friendly and helpful. The atmosphere is amazing. Many of the students are excited to make new friends. Though some rules may need to be changed, they were made before today's generation and have the potential of being changed or altered eventually. Many rules have been changed already and have made the atmosphere better. I definitely recommend this university to anyone looking for a good Christian University.... Read 1,100 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $19,049

• SAT range —

• Columbia, SC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  234 reviews

Junior: My experience at Columbia International University has been a great one! Going into CIU, I underestimated the community that is here. There have been many opportunities for the students to be plugged into student life, residence life, and even the community around Columbia as well. The best experience that I've had at CIU has been with the professors. The majority of the professors have been working at CIU for many years now so they understand how to equip you for what you are wanting to pursue as a career. I would recommend CIU to those who are looking for a tight-knit community that is going to be centered around the Word of God.... Read 234 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 46%

• Net price $20,088

• SAT range 940-1130

• Spartanburg, SC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  371 reviews

Freshman: So far I am loving Wofford! One of my favorite qualities about the school is its southern charm. Everyone here is super friendly and easy to talk to. Since the school only has around 2k students, everyone knows or has at least heard of everyone making campus really feel like a community. The activities offered on campus this year have been really fun while also maintaining covid guidelines. Some of these include: free food truck Friday, ice skating and hot chocolate, trivia nights, and scavenger hunts. If there is one thing I could change about Wofford it would be the food options. Right now during covid they aren't offering a wide variety of food and often slack on providing fruit that isn't an apple or banana.... Read 371 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 52%

• Net price $30,608

• SAT range 1190-1350

• Anderson, SC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  973 reviews

Junior: Anderson University is so wonderful. I just could not be more grateful to attend here. The professors genuinely care about each individual student. The student body is generally very kind and there are plenty of opportunities to find a great group of friends. The food is not great but the excellent education and lovely people there make attending here so worth it. Also, it is much more affordable than you think. The scholarships I received from Anderson made this school much cheaper than U of SC or Clemson!... Read 973 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 50%

• Net price $21,643

• SAT range 860-1210

• Central, SC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.63 out of 5  255 reviews

Junior: I attended years ago (in the 1980s), and I loved it then. Since then, it has expanded immensely and is 10x better than before! I love the options such as the online program, because if the flexibility with family and work. The student to teacher ratio is excellent, and the professors truly care about the students. The reason I rated the party scene as poor is that drinking is not part of the campus atmosphere. It is a Christian University. That works great for me, and I find that Christians know how to have good, clean fun and the loving support of one another, without the vices common to most college campuses. But it wouldn't be fore everyone. My desire is to get a quality liberal arts education with a worldview that embraces the timeless truths of the Bible, with God as our Creator and sustainer, and to live out my faith in a way that seeks to benefit all people of the world through my vocation.... Read 255 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 58%

• Net price $19,479

• SAT range 980-1070

• Tigerville, SC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  603 reviews

Sophomore: North Greenville is an excellent university for academics and athletics. I feel valued at this school due to its effort as a faculty that constantly reaches out for the benefits both mentally and physically of the students. I confidently can say that I can go to any of my professors when I am in need of help regarding class or regarding issues outside of the classroom. NGU is a place to feel loved and accepted by Christ centered folks that have wonderful intentions!... Read 603 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 70%

• Net price $19,514

• SAT range 980-1210

• Charleston, SC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.59 out of 5  839 reviews

Freshman: So far, I have loved my experience at CSU. The best part about my experience is the people I have bonded with. This community of people are comprised of the students and staff. They are respectful, kind, reasonable, and goodwilled. I am also grateful for the Professors at the college. I had one that did not see eye-to-eye, but every other professor has been top notch! Somethings to keep in mind would be the temperature and climate; it is very humid and not always enjoyable. Also, this year they had some issues in keeping up in the financial aid department. A final note for those who are interested would be the Christian element. You do not need to be a Christian to go to CSU (I personally am), but you definitely will be exposed to that life while attending. Overall, I love the college even with some of the issues with fluency in FINAID this year, and I would recommend it to others.... Read 839 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 57%

• Net price $18,182

• SAT range 990-1200

• Clinton, SC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  266 reviews

Senior: I came to Presbyterian College for their Pharmacy Program, they are extremely family/friend oriented and very welcoming. Presbyterian was very welcoming but some what challenging experience. All of the professors are really kind and very close to their students. However they could have some improvements in diversity and student involvement that caters to all students. One problem was diversity, being a biology major their were little to no, students of color present. Maybe one (me) or two, who were mostly women. Other than being a little isolated and the lack of minorities, this school is a really good school. I love that they give numerous opportunities to their students by networking and offering amazing job/internship opportunities. They also have amazing counseling and student academic/aid. They helped me to stay present and determined during my sophomore and junior year. Overall if I ever wanted to go back to obtain another degree I would consider this school!... Read 266 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 71%

• Net price $21,170

• SAT range 1010-1220

• Newberry, SC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.44 out of 5  400 reviews

Sophomore: my overall experience with college is a time for individuals to mature and assume responsibility for their own decisions and actions. you have greater control over your schedules, course selection, and combining academics with extracurricular activities. During this time, developing time management and organizing skills is critical.... Read 400 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 57%

• Net price $19,156

• SAT range 910-1130

• Orangeburg, SC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.47 out of 5  1,190 reviews

Sophomore: Some of the things that I like about Claflin University are the people and the atmosphere of the campus on a daily basis. However, something that I would like to see changed is the methods of teaching in the chemistry department. However, as you maneuver through the school building small connections often leads to getting greater connections to set your future up successfully.... Read 1,190 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 62%

• Net price $19,308

• SAT range 840-1040

• Due West, SC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.21 out of 5  207 reviews

Freshman: Erskine college is a fantastic school with many great professors and a diverse range of students and athletes. It is what it claims to be- a Christian school with small classrooms and personal professors. It’s in a very small town, and it is very quiet. I realize this is not for everyone, but it is exactly what I was looking for. I love it here!... Read 207 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 63%

• Net price $33,655

• SAT range 920-1150

• Hartsville, SC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.46 out of 5  297 reviews

Junior: I loved the community and how involved they are with their students online and on-campus! Overall, I recommend this university a lot. Especially if you cannot handle the normal setting of classes. Online is perfect!... Read 297 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 98%

• Net price $17,720

• SAT range 940-1160

• Spartanburg, SC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.61 out of 5  619 reviews

Sophomore: From my first visit here, I always liked how welcoming everyone is; people here really do go out of their way to be friendly and helpful a lot of the time. Converse also has some great professors! I can't speak much to departments I haven't taken a lot of classes in (such as STEM majors), but I love a lot of the humanities and arts professors; most of them have PhDs in their field and their enthusiasm for their area of study is evident in their teaching styles and interactions with students. Small class sizes are also nice as you actually get to know your classmates and professors (and it's easier to get the help you need). However, there are definitely accessibility issues on campus. Because the university and many of its buildings are very old, not all of them are fully accessible. There is an academic building which students with mobility issues can't get to the top floor of, and at least one dorm building which is completely inaccessible.... Read 619 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 82%

• Net price $17,155

• SAT range 1000-1200

• Columbia, SC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.61 out of 5  502 reviews

Freshman: It’s a great school so far! I love my teachers and the food is top tier. We have many things to do on campus and many activities to do weekly, not only that but the people you interact with are nice. If someone sees you down 9 times out of 10 they won’t hesitate to come over and say something nice to you and make you feel good. The RA’s are amazing and so is everyone on the staff, they are very helpful and tend to make things much easier especially when you need help on something you don’t understand. The dorms are great as well, the dorm I stay in is just full of good vibes and good people! The school also has a wide variety of classes and there’s always something for someone down here and that’s what I truly love about it?... Read 502 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 99%

• Net price $20,520

• SAT range 820-1050

• Spartanburg, SC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.64 out of 5  201 reviews

Sophomore: At Spartanburg Methodist College there's always someone willing to help you! My experience at Spartanburg Methodist College has been one of the best experiences. They also have the best professors that help us understand and there's a lot of opportunities at SMC.... Read 201 reviews

• grade C

• Acceptance rate 80%

• Net price $14,899

• SAT range 820-1020

• Gaffney, SC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  326 reviews

Senior: I have had a wonderful experience at Limestone as a student-athlete and full time day student. As a small university, it provides smaller class sizes and you get to know all your professors very well. Additionally, it is a close-knit school, with the majority of the students attending being student-athletes. Because of the large variety of sports, there are also many international students and those from around the country that attend, making it a uniquely diverse campus. In the psychology program, I have had the opportunity to talk to many professionals in the field, and even do my own undergraduate research. Overall, Limestone does an excellent job of preparing you for life after graduation and I have enjoyed my time being here!... Read 326 reviews

• grade C

• Acceptance rate 88%

• Net price $22,719

• SAT range 980-1160

• Columbia, SC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.54 out of 5  165 reviews

Freshman: I love being at this HBCU! Allen University is a place where it feels like we are a family. Allen University is where I feel respected by others, and where I can be myself. Allen University has been a great experience so far. I would love to see more things come from the school—for example, more activities and more opportunities to be given to students.... Read 165 reviews

• grade C minus

• Acceptance rate 57%

• Net price $13,238

• SAT range —

• Columbia, SC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.33 out of 5  467 reviews

Graduate Student: Benedict College is a pretty small HBCU that best suites students that prefer to be in a family-like environment. Some things I wish could be better are the overall school funding, dormitories, and the computer science department.... Read 467 reviews

• grade C minus

• Acceptance rate 86%

• Net price $11,701

• SAT range 820-1030

• Greenville, SC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  130 reviews

Freshman: I love it! Everyone is so eager to help you succeed. It's an amazing experience. At 40 I was terrified to go back to school, but everyone has been amazing. They are so helpful in anyway they can. It is so much fun and I am sporting a 4.0 GPA and am in the honor society and on President's list. I am so amazed at how well I am doing. And it is because of all the support I receive.... Read 130 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $18,461

• SAT range —

• Columbia, SC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.85 out of 5  196 reviews

Niche User: South university has been an amazing choice for me. Having smaller classes on a smaller campus makes it that much easier for me to get hands on assistance in any aspect that’s needed. Also being a smaller campus every one is focused on the students and making sure we have what we need to succeed. They also always advocate for their students. Even though I do commute to this campus I would not have chosen any other schools to help me in my learning and future career aspects!... Read 196 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $19,249

• SAT range —

• Rock Hill, SC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.38 out of 5  13 reviews

Alum: It was a great experience at an HBCU, amazing teachers, and the environment was incredible! It was also a very affordable 2 years which was great!... Read 13 reviews

• grade C

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $8,070

• SAT range —

• Denmark, SC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.15 out of 5  216 reviews

Freshman: Voorhees University is a small university but very family oriented. Since its a small university that allows more help and a one one-on-one experience.... Read 216 reviews

• grade C minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $12,896

• SAT range —

• Sumter, SC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.21 out of 5  196 reviews

Freshman: Morris College is a pretty decent school and it has a lot to offer. The teachers and faculty are understanding and willing to help. It's going to take some time getting used too. Morris College is pretty diverse, there are people with different culture backgrounds. The campus is small and gives a older vibes from the past. The Campus food and staff is pretty good. The Area around the school is really busy and really close together, but the safety around campus is well guarded. Even though Morris college has it's up and downs is a pretty decent school... Read 196 reviews

• grade C minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $9,260

• SAT range —

• Gaffney, SC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  8 reviews

Alum: I love Limestone University. My professors were all helpful and I really felt like they wanted to see me succeed. Just like in person learning, it is very structured, maybe even more structured. You really have to be dedicated to learn on your own but just like in-person learning, you have due dates and deadlines. However; any challenges you my face, the professors and assisting staff is always helpful and that is what I appreciated the most.... Read 8 reviews

• grade unavailable

• Acceptance rate —

• Net price —

• SAT range —