South Carolina university campus representing database management education
Updated December 2025

Best Database Management Programs in South Carolina: Top Schools & Colleges Ranked

Ranking 22 top accredited database management programs in South Carolina. Compare schools by tuition, graduation rates, and career outcomes in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville.

Programs Ranked22
Median Salary$95,670
Cost of Living95.4%
Tech Hubs3

Top 3 Database Management Programs in South Carolina 2025

๐Ÿฅ‡ #1

Trident Technical College

Charleston, SCPublic

54 database management graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate

$5K
Tuition/yr
64.4
Score
๐Ÿฅˆ #2

Clemson University

Clemson, SCPublic

22 database management graduates annually, 81% graduation rate

$14K
Tuition/yr
81%
Grad Rate
62.2
Score
๐Ÿฅ‰ #3

University of South Carolina-Columbia

Columbia, SCPublic

22 database management graduates annually, 80% graduation rate

$12K
Tuition/yr
80%
Grad Rate
57.4
Score
Key Takeaways
  • 1.South Carolina offers 22+ accredited database management programs across public and private universities
  • 2.Trident Technical College leads with strong% 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)

Database Management Education in South Carolina: Overview

South Carolina offers 22 accredited database management programs, producing approximately 364 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 database management programs in the state are led by Trident Technical College, Clemson University, University of South Carolina-Columbia, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.

South Carolina Database Management Programs Rankings 2025

Rank
1Trident Technical CollegeCharleston, SCPublic$5,024โ€”64.4
2Clemson UniversityClemson, SCPublic$14,03881%62.2
3University of South Carolina-ColumbiaColumbia, SCPublic$12,28880%57.4
4Greenville Technical CollegeGreenville, SCPublic$5,855โ€”55.7
5York Technical CollegeRock Hill, SCPublic$4,776โ€”53.8
6College of CharlestonCharleston, SCPublic$12,51870%52.3
7Piedmont Technical CollegeGreenwood, SCPublic$5,430โ€”52
8Horry-Georgetown Technical CollegeConway, SCPublic$5,208โ€”50.9
9Tri-County Technical CollegePendleton, SCPublic$5,816โ€”50.5
10Technical College of the LowcountryBeaufort, SCPublic$5,736โ€”49.2
11Midlands Technical CollegeWest Columbia, SCPublic$5,640โ€”49.2
12Central Carolina Technical CollegeSumter, SCPublic$6,354โ€”49.2
13Coastal Carolina UniversityConway, SCPublic$11,46086%48.5
14Aiken Technical CollegeGraniteville, SCPublic$4,896โ€”46.7
15Furman UniversityGreenville, SCPrivate$57,902โ€”45.5
16Orangeburg Calhoun Technical CollegeOrangeburg, SCPublic$5,784โ€”44.2
17University of South Carolina-UpstateSpartanburg, SCPublic$11,208โ€”43.8
18Strayer University-South CarolinaGreenville, SCFor-Profit$13,725โ€”41.7
19Northeastern Technical CollegeCheraw, SCPublic$5,088โ€”39.1
20Francis Marion UniversityFlorence, SCPublic$10,394โ€”39.1
21Spartanburg Community CollegeSpartanburg, SCPublic$6,048โ€”36.7
22Claflin UniversityOrangeburg, SCPrivate$16,476โ€”34.5

Top 5 Database Management Programs in South Carolina: Side-by-Side

SchoolTrident Technical CollegeClemsonU of South Carolina-ColumbiaGreenville Technical CollegeYork Technical College
Rank
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
In-State Tuition
$5,024
$14,038
$12,288
$5,855
$4,776
Graduation Rate
N/A%
81%
80%
N/A%
N/A%
Annual Graduates
54
22
22
33
27
Acceptance Rate
N/A
38%
61%
N/A
N/A
Type
Public
Public
Public
Public
Public
Score
64.4/100
62.2/100
57.4/100
55.7/100
53.8/100

Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Database Management in South Carolina

South Carolina offers 9 bachelor's-level database management programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are Clemson University, University of South Carolina-Columbia, College of Charleston. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $66,969 in the South Carolina market.

A bachelor's in database management typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Database Management Bachelor's Programs guide.

Top 3 Database Management Bachelor's Programs in South Carolina

SchoolTuitionGrad RateGraduatesScore
#1 Clemson
$14,038
81%
22
62.2
#2 U of South Carolina-Columbia
$12,288
80%
22
57.4
#3 College of Charleston
$12,518
70%
21
52.3

Top Database Management Schools for Master's Degrees in South Carolina

For graduate study, South Carolina offers 1 master's-level database management programs. Leading institutions include Strayer University-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 database management master's programs for more options beyond South Carolina.

Top 3 Database Management Master's Programs in South Carolina

SchoolTuitionGrad RateGraduatesScore
#1 Strayer University-South...
$13,725
N/A%
3
41.7

Most Affordable Database Management Colleges in South Carolina

For budget-conscious students, the most affordable database management programs in South Carolina are at York Technical College ($4,776/year), Aiken Technical College ($4,896/year), Trident Technical College ($5,024/year). These programs offer strong ROI given South Carolina's competitive tech salaries.

At York Technical College, a 4-year degree costs approximately $19,104 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $66,969, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.6 years. See our Most Affordable Database Management Programs for national comparisons.

Most Affordable Database Management Programs in South Carolina (with ROI)

SchoolAnnual Tuition4-Year CostPayback PeriodType
#1 York Technical College
$4,776
$19,104
0.6 years
Public
#2 Aiken Technical College
$4,896
$19,584
0.6 years
Public
#3 Trident Technical College
$5,024
$20,096
0.6 years
Public

Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Database Management Schools in South Carolina

Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 database management 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.

#1

Trident Technical College

Charleston, SC โ€ข Public

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $5,024 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Database Management Graduates: 54 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: N/A%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 64.4 / 100

Program Strengths

  • N/A% graduation rate
  • 54 database management graduates annually
  • Public institution
  • Overall score: 64.4 / 100

Why Ranked #1

Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (54 graduates), state salary outcomes ($95,670), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

#2

Clemson University

Clemson, SC โ€ข Public

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $14,038 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: 81% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Database Management Graduates: 22 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: 38%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 62.2 / 100

Program Strengths

  • 81% graduation rate
  • 22 database management graduates annually
  • Public institution
  • Overall score: 62.2 / 100

Why Ranked #2

Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (81%), program size (22 graduates), state salary outcomes ($95,670), and selectivity (38% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

#3

University of South Carolina-Columbia

Columbia, SC โ€ข Public

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $12,288 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: 80% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Database Management Graduates: 22 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: 61%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 57.4 / 100

Program Strengths

  • 80% graduation rate
  • 22 database management graduates annually
  • Public institution
  • Overall score: 57.4 / 100

Why Ranked #3

Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (80%), program size (22 graduates), state salary outcomes ($95,670), and selectivity (61% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

#4

Greenville Technical College

Greenville, SC โ€ข Public

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $5,855 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Database Management Graduates: 33 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: N/A%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 55.7 / 100

Program Strengths

  • N/A% graduation rate
  • 33 database management graduates annually
  • Public institution
  • Overall score: 55.7 / 100

Why Ranked #4

Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (33 graduates), state salary outcomes ($95,670), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

#5

York Technical College

Rock Hill, SC โ€ข Public

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $4,776 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Database Management Graduates: 27 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: N/A%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 53.8 / 100

Program Strengths

  • N/A% graduation rate
  • 27 database management graduates annually
  • Public institution
  • Overall score: 53.8 / 100

Why Ranked #5

Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (27 graduates), state salary outcomes ($95,670), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

$66,969
Starting Salary
$95,670
Mid-Career
+17%
Job Growth
437
Annual Openings

Career Paths

+17%

Software Developer opportunities in South Carolina with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$96,761

Systems Analyst

SOC 15-1211
+10%

Systems Analyst opportunities in South Carolina with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$99,972

IT Manager

SOC 15-1299
+15%

IT Manager opportunities in South Carolina with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$86,291
+15%

Technical Consultant opportunities in South Carolina with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$103,739

Database Administrator opportunities in South Carolina with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$90,318

Database Management Programs in Other States

Which Should You Choose?

Choose South Carolina if...
  • 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
Consider other states if...
  • You prioritize highest possible salary (consider CA, WA, NY)
  • You want more program options (CA has 100+ vs South Carolina's 22)
  • You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration

Database Management in South Carolina FAQ

Ranking Methodology

Based on 22 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024

Program Strength35%

Database Management degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources (IPEDS 2023)

Graduation Rate25%

6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023

Selectivity20%

Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)

Career Outcomes20%

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

Official University Websites

Program-specific admissions, curriculum, and career outcome data

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