South Carolina's public colleges and universities are demonstrating a strong commitment to academic excellence, with many institutions achieving impressive rankings in this year’s 2023 U.S. News & World Report annual rankings.
These rankings, which were released on Sept. 18, provide valuable insights into the quality and value of higher education institutions across the state.
Clemson University received the highest national ranking out of South Carolina’s public institutions at 86 out of 439 universities across the country. It also received the following ratings:
- #43 in Top Public Schools
- #53 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs
- #99 in Economics
- #14 in Co-ops/Internships
The University of South Carolina in Columbia secured top rankings across various categories, landing in the top quarter of national university rankings (124th out of 439). Notable achievements include:
- #1 in International Business
- #1 in First-Year Experiences
- #31 in Nursing
- #81 in Best Colleges for Veterans
- #105 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs
- #126 in Economics
This is the fifth straight year that USC has ranked first among public institutions for first-year experience, and the 25th straight year that USC has ranked first for its undergraduate international business program at the Darla Moore School of Business. The university also moved up in the overall first-year experience rankings (which includes private institutions) and is now tied for first overall, up from third last year.
Two SC institutions rank in top 10 of region
For the 13th straight year, U.S. News & World Report has ranked The Citadel as the best Public University in the South. It was also the highest ranked South Carolina public institutions in the regional universities category. Rankings received by The Citadel include:
- #1 in Top Public Schools
- #1 Best Colleges for Veterans – Regional Universities (South)
- #2 in Regional Universities South
- #4 Undergraduate Teaching – Regional Universities (South)
- #10 Most Innovative Schools – Regional Universities (South)
- #15 Best Value – Regional Universities (South)
- #23 Best Undergraduate Engineering, nationwide (non-doctoral)
- #159 Best Undergraduate Business, nationwide
- #167 Best Undergraduate Computer Science, nationwide
The College of Charleston stood out in the regional universities category as both a top public school and top regional university:
- #9 in Regional Universities South
- #4 in Top Public Schools
- #41 in Best Value Schools
- #7 in Best Undergraduate Teaching
- #6 in Most Innovative Schools
- #4 in Best Colleges for Veterans
- #114 in Top Performers on Social Mobility
Institutions shine in regional and public school rankings
In general, South Carolina public colleges showcased their dedication to academic excellence and value for students, with several being ranked inside the upper quarter of top public schools.
Winthrop University:
- #11 in Regional Universities South
- #5 in Top Public Schools
- #33 in Best Value Schools
- #5 in Best Colleges for Veterans
- #13 in Top Performers on Social Mobility
Lander University:
- #20 in Regional Colleges South
- #3 in Top Public Schools
- #228 in Nursing
- #3 in Best Colleges for Veterans
- #21 in Top Performers on Social Mobility
Coastal Carolina University made impressive strides, climbing two spots in the regional universities list:
- #36 in Regional Universities South
- #7 in Most Innovative Schools
- #9 in Best Undergraduate Teaching
- #14 in Best Colleges for Veterans
- #16 in Top Public Schools
USC Upstate:
- #22 in Regional Colleges South
- #4 in Top Public Schools
- #112 in Nursing
- #4 in Best Colleges for Veterans
- #10 in Top Performers on Social Mobility
USC Beaufort:
- #44 in Regional Colleges South
- #12 in Top Public Schools
- #51 in Top Performers on Social Mobility
Francis Marion University:
- #55 in Regional Universities South
- #23 in Top Public Schools
- #16 in Best Value Schools
- #183 in Nursing
- #20 in Best Colleges for Veterans
- #31 in Top Performers on Social Mobility
Francis Marion University also showed improvement from last year in the areas of Best Regional Universities, Best Value Schools, and Best Colleges for Veterans.
University of South Carolina Aiken:
- #59 in Regional Universities South
- #27 in Top Public Schools
- #34 in Best Value Schools
- #222 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs
- #154 in Nursing
- #24 in Best Colleges for Veterans
- #60 in Top Performers on Social Mobility
South Carolina State University:
- #79 in Regional Universities South
- #39 in Historically Black Colleges and Universities
- #38 in Top Public Schools
- #183 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs
- #63 in Top Performers on Social Mobility
Additional Resources:
The complete 2023 rankings are available at: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings
Additional information on this year’s rankings is available directly from the following South Carolina institutions: