Top 3 Data Science Programs in South Carolina 2025
University of South Carolina-Columbia
23 data science graduates annually, 80% graduation rate
Coastal Carolina University
21 data science graduates annually, 86% graduation rate
Wofford College
9 data science graduates annually, 89% graduation rate
- 1.South Carolina offers 13+ accredited data science programs across public and private universities
- 2.University of South Carolina-Columbia leads with 80% graduation rate
- 3.South Carolina software developers earn median $95,670 annually (BLS OES 2024)
- 4.Tech opportunities concentrated in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville
- 5.Cost of living index: 95.4% of US average (below average)
Data Science Education in South Carolina: Overview
South Carolina offers 13 accredited data science programs, producing approximately 127 graduates annually. The state's tech industry is centered in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, with major employers including Blackbaud, BenefitFocus, Bosch.
With a median software developer salary of $95,670 (BLS OES May 2024) and a cost of living index of 95.4% compared to the US average, South Carolina offers above-average purchasing power for tech workers.
The top data science programs in the state are led by University of South Carolina-Columbia, Coastal Carolina University, Wofford College, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.
South Carolina Data Science Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of South Carolina-Columbia | Columbia, SC | Public | $12,288 | 80% | 57.8 |
| 2 | Coastal Carolina University | Conway, SC | Public | $11,460 | 86% | 54.7 |
| 3 | Wofford College | Spartanburg, SC | Private | $51,750 | 89% | 54 |
| 4 | Charleston Southern University | Charleston, SC | Private | $30,380 | 88% | 49.9 |
| 5 | College of Charleston | Charleston, SC | Public | $12,518 | 70% | 49.3 |
| 6 | Furman University | Greenville, SC | Private | $57,902 | — | 46.1 |
| 7 | Bob Jones University | Greenville, SC | Private | $19,756 | — | 44.9 |
| 8 | Benedict College | Columbia, SC | Private | $15,400 | — | 43.8 |
| 9 | Presbyterian College | Clinton, SC | Private | $40,200 | — | 41.1 |
| 10 | Claflin University | Orangeburg, SC | Private | $16,476 | — | 39.6 |
| 11 | Coker University | Hartsville, SC | Private | $30,864 | — | 34.1 |
| 12 | Winthrop University | Rock Hill, SC | Public | $15,306 | — | 34.1 |
| 13 | Citadel Military College of South Carolina | Charleston, SC | Public | $8,356 | — | 33 |
Top 5 Data Science Programs in South Carolina: Side-by-Side
| School | U of South Carolina-Columbia | Coastal Carolina | Wofford College | Charleston Southern | College of Charleston |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $12,288 | $11,460 | $51,750 | $30,380 | $12,518 |
| Graduation Rate | 80% | 86% | 89% | 88% | 70% |
| Annual Graduates | 23 | 21 | 9 | 8 | 14 |
| Acceptance Rate | 61% | 80% | 59% | 76% | 72% |
| Type | Public | Public | Private | Private | Public |
| Score | 57.8/100 | 54.7/100 | 54.0/100 | 49.9/100 | 49.3/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Data Science in South Carolina
South Carolina offers 12 bachelor's-level data science programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are University of South Carolina-Columbia, Coastal Carolina University, Wofford College. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $66,969 in the South Carolina market.
A bachelor's in data science typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Data Science Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Data Science Bachelor's Programs in South Carolina
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of South Carolina-Columbia | $12,288 | 80% | 23 | 57.8 |
| #2 Coastal Carolina | $11,460 | 86% | 21 | 54.7 |
| #3 Wofford College | $51,750 | 89% | 9 | 54.0 |
Top Data Science Schools for Master's Degrees in South Carolina
For graduate study, South Carolina offers 3 master's-level data science programs. Leading institutions include University of South Carolina-Columbia, College of Charleston, Citadel Military College of South Carolina. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in South Carolina reaching $124,371 or more.
Explore our complete national rankings of the best data science master's programs for more options beyond South Carolina.
Top 3 Data Science Master's Programs in South Carolina
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of South Carolina-Columbia | $12,288 | 80% | 22 | 57.4 |
| #2 College of Charleston | $12,518 | 70% | 9 | 46.7 |
| #3 Citadel Military College... | $8,356 | N/A% | 4 | 33.0 |
Most Affordable Data Science Colleges in South Carolina
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable data science programs in South Carolina are at Citadel Military College of South Carolina ($8,356/year), Coastal Carolina University ($11,460/year), University of South Carolina-Columbia ($12,288/year). These programs offer strong ROI given South Carolina's competitive tech salaries.
At Citadel Military College of South Carolina, a 4-year degree costs approximately $33,424 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $66,969, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 1 years. See our Most Affordable Data Science Programs for national comparisons.
Most Affordable Data Science Programs in South Carolina (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Citadel Military College... | $8,356 | $33,424 | 1 years | Public |
| #2 Coastal Carolina | $11,460 | $45,840 | 1.4 years | Public |
| #3 U of South Carolina-Columbia | $12,288 | $49,152 | 1.5 years | Public |
Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Data Science Schools in South Carolina
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 data science programs in South Carolina, including admissions requirements, curriculum highlights, career outcomes, and what makes each program unique. Data sourced from official university websites and IPEDS 2023.
University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia, SC • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $12,288 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 80% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 23 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 61%
- • Ranking Score: 57.8 / 100
Program Strengths
- 80% graduation rate
- 23 data science graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 57.8 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (80%), program size (23 graduates), state salary outcomes ($95,670), and selectivity (61% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Coastal Carolina University
Conway, SC • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $11,460 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 86% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 21 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 80%
- • Ranking Score: 54.7 / 100
Program Strengths
- 86% graduation rate
- 21 data science graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 54.7 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (86%), program size (21 graduates), state salary outcomes ($95,670), and selectivity (80% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Wofford College
Spartanburg, SC • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $51,750 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 89% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 9 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 59%
- • Ranking Score: 54.0 / 100
Program Strengths
- 89% graduation rate
- 9 data science graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 54.0 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (89%), program size (9 graduates), state salary outcomes ($95,670), and selectivity (59% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Charleston Southern University
Charleston, SC • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $30,380 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 88% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 8 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 76%
- • Ranking Score: 49.9 / 100
Program Strengths
- 88% graduation rate
- 8 data science graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 49.9 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (88%), program size (8 graduates), state salary outcomes ($95,670), and selectivity (76% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
College of Charleston
Charleston, SC • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $12,518 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 70% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 14 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 72%
- • Ranking Score: 49.3 / 100
Program Strengths
- 70% graduation rate
- 14 data science graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 49.3 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (70%), program size (14 graduates), state salary outcomes ($95,670), and selectivity (72% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Career Paths
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Data Scientist opportunities in South Carolina with strong job growth.
Data Analyst
SOC 15-2051Data Analyst opportunities in South Carolina with strong job growth.
Business Intelligence Analyst
SOC 15-2051Business Intelligence Analyst opportunities in South Carolina with strong job growth.
Machine Learning Engineer
SOC 15-2051Machine Learning Engineer opportunities in South Carolina with strong job growth.
Quantitative Analyst
SOC 15-2051Quantitative Analyst opportunities in South Carolina with strong job growth.
Data Science Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Washington
Massachusetts
Illinois
Georgia
Which Should You Choose?
- You want access to tech jobs in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville
- You're seeking lower cost of living (95.4% of US average)
- You want to work at companies like Blackbaud or BenefitFocus
- You prefer South Carolina's quality of life
- You prioritize highest possible salary (consider CA, WA, NY)
- You want more program options (CA has 100+ vs South Carolina's 13)
- You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration
Data Science in South Carolina FAQ
Based on 13 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Data Science degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources (IPEDS 2023)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
South Carolina-specific salaries from BLS OES May 2024
Related Resources
Data Sources & Methodology
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System - program completions, graduation rates, tuition, admissions
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - South Carolina salary data
2023-2033 occupational outlook and growth projections
Program-specific admissions, curriculum, and career outcome data
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.