Best Bachelor's Data Science Degree Programs in South Carolina
University of South Carolina-Columbia — Columbia, SC
Key Distinction: Interdisciplinary curriculum combining computer science, mathematics, and statistics. Hands-on experience through Computing for Data Science and Visualization Tools courses
Hakia Insight: South Carolina's program unites computer science, mathematics, and statistics under one degree rather than requiring students to stack electives, while partnerships with Google, Microsoft, and IBM provide direct pipeline recruitment that translates into faster offer cycles and higher starting salaries for graduates entering tech.
The University of South Carolina's Bachelor of Science in Data Science is an interdisciplinary program uniting computer science, mathematics, and statistics to tackle real-world problems with large-scale datasets. Based in the College of Arts and Sciences with faculty from Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science departments, the program provides strong foundation in all stages of data analysis combined with advanced tools and theory for developing new methods. The curriculum requires hands-on experience through courses like Computing for Data Science, Visualization Tools, and Big Data Analytics. Students must maintain a C or higher in all core courses with at most two attempts. The program offers flexibility for double majors or minors in mathematics, statistics, or computer science, and can be customized for students planning graduate study. Ethics in data science is integrated through required coursework covering ethical, policy, and security considerations of working with data and its societal impact.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Data Science — 4 years, on-campus. BS
Research Labs and Institutes
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering
- Department of Statistics
Industry Partners
- Google (corporate)
- Microsoft (corporate)
- IBM (corporate)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Deloitte.
Accreditations and Certifications
- ABET accredited engineering programs
Location Advantages: South Carolina state capital with government data and analytics initiativesProximity to financial services sectorEstablished tech employer networks
Coastal Carolina University — Conway, SC
Key Distinction: Combines accessible, practical data science training with deep integration into regional coastal business and tourism industries.
Hakia Insight: Coastal Carolina's integration with the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce means students build portfolios on live tourism and hospitality analytics challenges—a niche that few liberal arts programs offer, yet one where regional employers actively recruit.
At the bachelor's level, coastal Carolina's data science program stands out for integrating domain expertise in business and coastal/environmental analytics into its technical curriculum. Students don't just learn machine learning algorithms in isolation; they apply them to real datasets in areas where the university has established research or industry connections—whether that's tourism analytics, coastal resilience, supply chain optimization for the region's growing port activity, or healthcare system improvement. The program structure includes specialized tracks or electives that let students deepen expertise in their chosen domain while building transferable data science fundamentals. Faculty actively engage students in research and consulting projects, creating a learning environment where classroom concepts immediately connect to practitioner problems. The university's location in Myrtle Beach and ties to regional business and environmental sectors create unique capstone and internship opportunities that wouldn't exist at inland competitors. Graduates emerge with not just technical skills but demonstrated domain knowledge in their chosen specialization, making them attractive to employers seeking data professionals who understand business context, not just algorithms.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Data Science — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Data Science — 4 years, online
Industry Partners
- Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (nonprofit)
Location Advantages: Myrtle Beach region with strong hospitality and tourism data analytics demandGrowing coastal tech communityRetail and e-commerce sector presence
Wofford College — Spartanburg, SC
Key Distinction: Wofford weaves ethics and responsible AI throughout its data science curriculum, preparing graduates to think critically about the societal impact of their analytics work.
Hakia Insight: Wofford embeds ethics and responsible AI throughout its curriculum rather than as an afterthought, positioning graduates to command premium roles at companies building governance frameworks rather than just executing analyses.
At the bachelor's level, wofford's data science program leverages the college's strengths in close mentorship and interdisciplinary collaboration to create a curriculum that bridges liberal arts inquiry with practical analytics skills. The program emphasizes hands-on projects that integrate data science across disciplines—from business and economics to environmental science and social research—rather than siloing technical training in isolation. Students work directly with faculty who maintain active research interests, gaining exposure to real analytical problems while developing communication skills essential for translating complex findings to non-technical audiences. The intimate scale of the college means data science students benefit from personalized advising and opportunities to shape their learning path through electives and independent studies that align with their interests, whether that's machine learning, data visualization, or domain-specific applications. Partnerships with regional organizations and alumni networks in finance, healthcare, and technology provide internship placements and mentorship that ground classroom learning in professional contexts. Wofford's emphasis on ethical reasoning and critical thinking infuses the program, pushing students to consider not just how to build models, but when and whether they should. Graduates emerge with both technical competency and the collaborative, communication-focused skill set that employers increasingly prioritize when hiring data professionals, particularly for roles where cross-functional teamwork is essential.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Data Science — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Data Science — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Spartanburg, SC proximity to financial services and manufacturing sectors
College of Charleston — Charleston, SC
Key Distinction: College of Charleston's data science program stands out for integrating undergraduate research and mentorship-driven learning into a curriculum that bridges computer science and applied statistics, with particular strength in real-world project experience.
Hakia Insight: College of Charleston's three active labs (ML, Cybersecurity, IoT) give undergraduates rare access to deployable research projects with Boeing, Volvo, and Booz Allen Hamilton—meaning your capstone could credibly appear on your résumé as published work, not just coursework.
At the bachelor's level, college of Charleston's data science program emphasizes hands-on learning through real-world projects and close faculty mentorship—a distinct advantage at a school where undergraduate research isn't just encouraged but embedded into the curriculum. The program blends computer science fundamentals with statistical methods and domain applications, giving students flexibility to pursue concentrations in areas like business analytics, environmental data science, or social science applications. What sets this program apart is its intimate scale: classes remain small enough that faculty know students by name and can tailor guidance to individual career trajectories, whether that's toward tech industry roles or graduate school preparation. The Charleston location provides unexpected advantages, with growing tech companies in the region and access to real datasets from local government and nonprofit organizations that students work with directly. Faculty actively involve undergraduates in their research, and the program has developed strong pathways into both immediate employment and competitive graduate programs. Students consistently highlight the curriculum's balance between theory and application—you're not just learning algorithms in isolation, but implementing them on problems that matter. Internship placements are robust, with students working at companies ranging from regional firms to national tech companies, often converting summer internships into full-time offers.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Data Science — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Data Science — 4 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Machine Learning and Data Science Lab
- Cybersecurity Lab
- Data Mining and IoT Connectivity Lab
- Artificial Intelligence Lab
- Health Informatics Lab
- Cloud Computing Lab
- Computer Music and Interaction Lab
- Computing Education Research Lab
Industry Partners
- Boeing (partner)
- Volvo (partner)
- Booz Allen Hamilton (partner)
- Mercedes-Benz Vans (partner)
- Google (employer)
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $NaN.
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Tom Kunkle — Mathematics and Statistics
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Growing tech sector in Charleston regionAccess to local government and nonprofit datasets for student projects
Charleston Southern University — Charleston, SC
Key Distinction: Charleston Southern distinguishes its data science program through embedded industry mentorship and capstone projects with regional employers, ensuring graduates have deployment-ready portfolio work before entering the job market.
Hakia Insight: Charleston Southern embeds actual employer mentors into capstone projects, bridging the notorious gap between academic work and job-ready portfolios that leaves most graduates scrambling to explain their projects to hiring managers.
At the bachelor's level, charleston Southern positions its data science program within the broader context of applied technology and professional development, emphasizing skills that have immediate market demand. The curriculum covers essential tools—Python, R, SQL, and visualization platforms—alongside statistical reasoning and machine learning fundamentals, with instruction designed for students who may not have deep technical backgrounds before enrolling. Rather than pure theory, courses integrate real datasets and case studies so that abstract concepts land in concrete applications. The Charleston location provides unexpected advantages: the city's growing tech ecosystem, presence of financial and insurance companies, and tourism/hospitality sector create diverse internship and employment opportunities. Faculty focus on being accessible mentors who understand the career goals of their students and actively work to connect them with opportunities and resources. The program appeals to working professionals and career-changers as much as traditional undergraduates, with flexibility in scheduling and delivery designed to support students balancing multiple demands. Graduates have transitioned into analytics roles across healthcare, finance, and service industries, with many crediting the program's practical orientation for their ability to contribute meaningfully in their first roles.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Data Science — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Data Science — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Charleston's growing financial services and healthcare sectorsProximity to government research institutions in the Lowcountry
Furman University — Greenville, SC
Hakia Insight: Furman's data analytics minor spans 12 disciplines with required foundations in both R and Python, creating flexibility to pair technical depth with domain expertise—a structure that mimics how real data teams are actually built.
At the bachelor's level, the Data Analytics interdisciplinary minor offers students experience across 12 different disciplines with required foundational courses in statistics, programming in R and Python, and exposure to real-world analytics applications. Students must present their work at Furman Engaged, demonstrating a significant data analytics project undertaken during their minor studies.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Data Science — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Data Science — 4 years, online
Location Advantages:
Benedict College — Columbia, SC
Key Distinction: Benedict College offers comprehensive Data Science programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Benedict College provides a direct pathway into South Carolina's emerging tech ecosystem from a historically Black institution, addressing the representation gap that limits recruitment pipelines in data science.
Benedict College offers Data Science programs in Columbia, SC. As a private institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Bob Jones University — Greenville, SC
Hakia Insight: Bob Jones University's data science programs operate within a faith-integrated curriculum framework that explicitly shapes ethical decision-making—a distinctive worldview lens that appeals to students seeking values-aligned technical training.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Data Science — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Data Science — 4 years, online
Location Advantages:
Presbyterian College — Clinton, SC
Key Distinction: Presbyterian College offers comprehensive Data Science programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Presbyterian College's location in Clinton positions graduates to tap into South Carolina's financial services and manufacturing hubs while maintaining the mentorship density of a small liberal arts setting.
Presbyterian College offers Data Science programs in Clinton, SC. As a private institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Claflin University — Orangeburg, SC
Key Distinction: Claflin's data science program uniquely integrates social impact and equity perspectives, preparing graduates to lead analytics work in public health, government, and community-focused sectors.
Hakia Insight: Claflin's social impact integration prepares graduates for high-demand public health and government analytics roles where technical skill alone fails—they're trained to ask whose data gets analyzed and who benefits from the insights.
At the bachelor's level, claflin's data science program reflects the institution's mission to cultivate leaders and skilled professionals serving underrepresented communities and emerging tech ecosystems. The curriculum grounds students in statistical methodology, programming fundamentals, and data engineering practices while emphasizing applications relevant to social impact—public health analytics, education data systems, and community development metrics. Faculty prioritize mentorship and skill-building, recognizing that many students arrive with variable preparation; the program includes robust foundational support and bridge coursework. Internship and research opportunities connect students to government agencies, nonprofits, and corporations working on equity-focused data initiatives. Graduates pursue roles in public health analytics, government data teams, nonprofit research departments, and corporate social responsibility divisions—sectors where their combination of technical skill and social awareness creates distinctive value. Claflin's strength lies in preparing graduates who see data science as a tool for informed, equitable decision-making across sectors.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Data Science — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Data Science — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Proximity to Atlanta regional healthcare and government agencies
Best Master's Data Science Degree Programs in South Carolina
University of South Carolina-Columbia — Columbia, SC
Key Distinction: Research-intensive flagship program with cross-disciplinary graduate training, active faculty research groups, and major corporate partnerships.
Hakia Insight: USC Columbia's master's program feeds directly into Google, Microsoft, and Amazon pipelines through active faculty research groups and partnerships, meaning your coursework often overlaps with problems those companies are actively hiring to solve.
At the master's level, as the flagship campus of the University of South Carolina system, the data science program at Columbia benefits from substantial research infrastructure, doctoral training pipelines, and deep partnerships with Fortune 500 companies and major tech firms. The program spans undergraduate and graduate levels, with the graduate track particularly strong in machine learning research and statistical methodology. Students engage with active faculty research groups across computer science, statistics, and business schools, with opportunities to contribute to published research in areas like computational finance, bioinformatics, and social network analysis. The location in South Carolina's capital provides internship and career pathways into state government, finance, and consulting, while the campus's research classification attracts visiting scholars and industry researchers. Graduate students particularly benefit from the thesis-based MS option, which emphasizes original research and positions graduates competitively for both industry machine learning roles and PhD programs.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Data Science — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Data Science — 1-2 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering
- Department of Statistics
Industry Partners
- Google (corporate)
- Microsoft (corporate)
- IBM (corporate)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Deloitte.
Accreditations and Certifications
- ABET accredited engineering programs
Location Advantages: South Carolina state capital with government data and analytics initiativesProximity to financial services sectorEstablished tech employer networks
College of Charleston — Charleston, SC
Key Distinction: First university in South Carolina to offer Masters in Data Science. Small faculty-to-student ratio for personalized mentoring
Hakia Insight: As South Carolina's first master's in data science and analytics, College of Charleston's 30-credit design for working professionals avoids the bloat of traditional programs while maintaining the same faculty (Dr. Tom Kunkle) and lab infrastructure (ML, Cybersecurity, IoT) that drives undergraduate success.
The Master of Science in Data Science and Analytics at College of Charleston is a 30-credit program designed for working professionals seeking career advancement in AI, machine learning, and business intelligence. The program accepts students from diverse academic backgrounds and offers industry partnerships with major employers like Boeing, Volvo, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Mercedes-Benz Vans. Located in Charleston's booming tech industry, students benefit from ample internship and employment opportunities. The program features small class sizes ensuring personalized faculty-student mentorships, cutting-edge research opportunities in state-of-the-art labs, and an extensive alumni network including professionals at companies like Google. Fall-only admission with priority deadline February 1 and final deadline July 1. Graduates are prepared for successful data science careers with strong industry connections and research experience.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Data Science and Analytics — 1-2 years, on-campus. MS
Research Labs and Institutes
- Machine Learning and Data Science Lab
- Cybersecurity Lab
- Data Mining and IoT Connectivity Lab
- Artificial Intelligence Lab
- Health Informatics Lab
- Cloud Computing Lab
- Computer Music and Interaction Lab
- Computing Education Research Lab
Industry Partners
- Boeing (partner)
- Volvo (partner)
- Booz Allen Hamilton (partner)
- Mercedes-Benz Vans (partner)
- Google (employer)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Boeing, Google.
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Tom Kunkle — Mathematics and Statistics
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Growing tech sector in Charleston regionAccess to local government and nonprofit datasets for student projects
Citadel Military College of South Carolina — Charleston, SC
Key Distinction: The Citadel's data science program leverages military academy discipline and DoD partnerships to produce analysts exceptionally skilled at communicating findings to leadership and working with classified or sensitive systems.
Hakia Insight: The Citadel's military academy discipline produces analysts exceptionally trained to communicate findings to leadership and handle classified systems—a rare combination that makes DoD and defense contracting employers view its graduates as immediately operational, not requiring onboarding.
At the master's level, the Citadel's data science program operates within a military academy framework, which shapes its curriculum around precision, discipline, and decision-making under uncertainty—qualities that translate directly into high-stakes analytical work. The program emphasizes systems thinking and the ability to communicate complex findings to leadership, a necessity in military and defense contexts but increasingly valuable across government and enterprise sectors. Students benefit from faculty with backgrounds in operations research, cybersecurity, and national security analysis, domains where data science directly impacts strategic outcomes. The cadet environment itself reinforces habits of rigor: datasets are treated seriously, analysis must be defensible, and the stakes of analytical error are never abstracted. Partnerships with Department of Defense research centers and contractors provide internship pathways and real-world problems that test whether analytical techniques actually scale. Graduates emerge with clearances in some cases and with the credibility that comes from an institution known for producing disciplined technical professionals—a distinct advantage in government and defense contracting.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Data Science — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Data Science — 1-2 years, online
Industry Partners
- U.S. Department of Defense (government)
- Booz Allen Hamilton (corporate)
Location Advantages: Proximity to Fort Sumter and military research institutionsStrong connections to defense contracting in the Charleston region
