Top 3 Software Engineering Programs in South Carolina 2025
Clemson University
49 software engineering graduates annually, 81% graduation rate
University of South Carolina-Columbia
29 software engineering graduates annually, 80% graduation rate
Wofford College
9 software engineering graduates annually, 89% graduation rate
- 1.South Carolina offers 15+ accredited software engineering programs across public and private universities
- 2.Clemson University leads with 81% 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)
Software Engineering Education in South Carolina: Overview
South Carolina offers 15 accredited software engineering programs, producing approximately 191 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 software engineering programs in the state are led by Clemson University, University of South Carolina-Columbia, Wofford College, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.
South Carolina Software Engineering Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clemson University | Clemson, SC | Public | $14,038 | 81% | 70.3 |
| 2 | University of South Carolina-Columbia | Columbia, SC | Public | $12,288 | 80% | 59.9 |
| 3 | Wofford College | Spartanburg, SC | Private | $51,750 | 89% | 54 |
| 4 | Coastal Carolina University | Conway, SC | Public | $11,460 | 86% | 53.1 |
| 5 | Charleston Southern University | Charleston, SC | Private | $30,380 | 88% | 49.9 |
| 6 | Benedict College | Columbia, SC | Private | $15,400 | — | 47.5 |
| 7 | Furman University | Greenville, SC | Private | $57,902 | — | 46.1 |
| 8 | Bob Jones University | Greenville, SC | Private | $19,756 | — | 44.9 |
| 9 | College of Charleston | Charleston, SC | Public | $12,518 | 70% | 43.2 |
| 10 | Claflin University | Orangeburg, SC | Private | $16,476 | — | 42.1 |
| 11 | Presbyterian College | Clinton, SC | Private | $40,200 | — | 41.1 |
| 12 | Limestone University | Gaffney, SC | Private | $26,400 | — | 37.6 |
| 13 | Coker University | Hartsville, SC | Private | $30,864 | — | 34.1 |
| 14 | Winthrop University | Rock Hill, SC | Public | $15,306 | — | 34.1 |
| 15 | Citadel Military College of South Carolina | Charleston, SC | Public | $8,356 | — | 33 |
Top 5 Software Engineering Programs in South Carolina: Side-by-Side
| School | Clemson | U of South Carolina-Columbia | Wofford College | Coastal Carolina | Charleston Southern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $14,038 | $12,288 | $51,750 | $11,460 | $30,380 |
| Graduation Rate | 81% | 80% | 89% | 86% | 88% |
| Annual Graduates | 49 | 29 | 9 | 17 | 8 |
| Acceptance Rate | 38% | 61% | 59% | 80% | 76% |
| Type | Public | Public | Private | Public | Private |
| Score | 70.3/100 | 59.9/100 | 54.0/100 | 53.1/100 | 49.9/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Software Engineering in South Carolina
South Carolina offers 15 bachelor's-level software engineering programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are Clemson University, University of South Carolina-Columbia, Wofford College. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $66,969 in the South Carolina market.
A bachelor's in software engineering typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Software Engineering Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Software Engineering Bachelor's Programs in South Carolina
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Clemson | $14,038 | 81% | 49 | 70.3 |
| #2 U of South Carolina-Columbia | $12,288 | 80% | 29 | 59.9 |
| #3 Wofford College | $51,750 | 89% | 9 | 54.0 |
Top Software Engineering Schools for Master's Degrees in South Carolina
For graduate study, South Carolina offers 4 master's-level software engineering programs. Leading institutions include Clemson University, University of South Carolina-Columbia, College of Charleston. 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 software engineering master's programs for more options beyond South Carolina.
Top 3 Software Engineering Master's Programs in South Carolina
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Clemson | $14,038 | 81% | 30 | 65.0 |
| #2 U of South Carolina-Columbia | $12,288 | 80% | 20 | 56.7 |
| #3 College of Charleston | $12,518 | 70% | 4 | 43.2 |
Most Affordable Software Engineering Colleges in South Carolina
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable software engineering 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 Software Engineering Programs for national comparisons.
Most Affordable Software Engineering 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 Software Engineering Schools in South Carolina
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 software engineering 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.
Clemson University
Clemson, SC • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $14,038 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 81% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 49 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 38%
- • Ranking Score: 70.3 / 100
Program Strengths
- 81% graduation rate
- 49 software engineering graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 70.3 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (81%), program size (49 graduates), state salary outcomes ($95,670), and selectivity (38% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia, SC • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $12,288 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 80% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 29 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 61%
- • Ranking Score: 59.9 / 100
Program Strengths
- 80% graduation rate
- 29 software engineering graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 59.9 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (80%), program size (29 graduates), state salary outcomes ($95,670), and selectivity (61% 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)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 9 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 59%
- • Ranking Score: 54.0 / 100
Program Strengths
- 89% graduation rate
- 9 software engineering 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.
Coastal Carolina University
Conway, SC • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $11,460 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 86% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 17 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 80%
- • Ranking Score: 53.1 / 100
Program Strengths
- 86% graduation rate
- 17 software engineering graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 53.1 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (86%), program size (17 graduates), state salary outcomes ($95,670), and selectivity (80% 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)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 8 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 76%
- • Ranking Score: 49.9 / 100
Program Strengths
- 88% graduation rate
- 8 software engineering graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 49.9 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 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.
Career Paths
Software Developer
SOC 15-1252Software Developer opportunities in South Carolina with strong job growth.
Systems Analyst
SOC 15-1211Systems Analyst opportunities in South Carolina with strong job growth.
IT Manager
SOC 15-1299IT Manager opportunities in South Carolina with strong job growth.
Technical Consultant
SOC 15-1299Technical Consultant opportunities in South Carolina with strong job growth.
Database Administrator
SOC 15-1242Database Administrator opportunities in South Carolina with strong job growth.
Software Engineering 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 15)
- You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration
Software Engineering in South Carolina FAQ
Based on 15 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Software Engineering 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.