2023 Best MBA Programs in South Carolina

Compare MBA Degrees in for 2023

Key Highlights:

• • This guide offers detailed data about tuition fees, average starting salaries, GMAT scores, and enrollment statistics for MBA programs in South Carolina.

• • It includes in-depth profiles of both online and on-campus MBA programs in South Carolina, highlighting their strengths, unique specializations, faculty expertise, and alumni networks, to assist you in aligning your study choice with your career goals.

• • This guide provides insights into South Carolina's diverse economic sectors, illustrating how an MBA degree can significantly impact these industries.

South Carolina’s economic landscape is multi-faceted, with several robust industries offering a plethora of opportunities for MBA graduates. The state’s automotive industry, with BMW and Volvo’s significant presence, generates high demand for management and leadership skills.

Tourism, driven by South Carolina’s rich history, scenic coastlines, and distinctive culture, plays a significant role in the state’s economy. This sector offers numerous opportunities in hospitality management, strategic planning, and marketing.

The aerospace industry, led by Boeing’s assembly and delivery facility, is another booming sector in South Carolina, creating roles in operations, supply chain, and strategic planning. Furthermore, the state's expanding tech sector provides a fertile ground for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Healthcare and pharmaceuticals represent another vital sector, with multiple biopharmaceutical companies and health systems providing ample career opportunities for those with an MBA degree.

Compare MBA Program Averages Across

South Carolina, the U.S. and Online

Table of Best Ranked MBA Programs in South Carolina

What is the Average Graduate MBA Salary in South Carolina?

While the average starting salary for graduates of an in-person MBA program in South Carolina is about $74,524, the lowest average MBA starting salary is $55,326 from College of Charleston, and the highest average MBA starting salary is $90,000 from University of South Carolina.

The average starting salary for graduates of an Online MBA program from an institution in South Carolina is between $55,326 from College of Charleston and $90,000 from University of South Carolina. The average starting MBA salary for graduates of online MBA programs within South Carolina is $72,074.

Average Graduate Salaries for In-Person MBA Programs

• Average: $74,524 from South Carolina's 11 In-Person MBA Programs
• Lowest In-Person: $55,326 from College of Charleston
• Highest In-Person:$90,000 from University of South Carolina

Average Graduate Salaries for Online MBA Programs

• Average: $72,074 from South Carolina's 7 Online MBA Programs
• Lowest Online: $55,326 from College of Charleston
• Highest Online: $90,000 from University of South Carolina

What is the Average Tuition for MBA Programs in South Carolina?
If you plan on attending an MBA program, it's best to start thinking about fiscal responsibility. A prospective B-Student needs to weigh their tuition options. An AACSB-accredited MBA program can pave the way for a great starting salary or career advancement. An online MBA program can provide the flexibility of completing a program while being employed in your respective career.

While the average in-person MBA program in South Carolina will cost about $23,616, the least expensive MBA program is $14,085 from University of South Carolina Aiken, and the most expensive is $39,604 from Clemson University.

An Online MBA program from an institution in South Carolina will cost you between $14,085 from University of South Carolina Aiken and $32,000 from University of South Carolina. The average cost of online MBA programs within South Carolina is $21,487.

Average Tuition for In-Person MBA Programs

• Average: $23,616 from South Carolina's 11 in-person MBA Programs
• Lowest in-person: $14,085 from University of South Carolina Aiken
• Highest in-person: $39,604 from Clemson University

Average Tuition for Online MBA Programs

• Average: $21,487 from South Carolina's 7 online MBA Programs
• Lowest online: $14,085 from University of South Carolina Aiken
• Highest online: $32,000 from University of South Carolina

What is the ROI for MBA Programs in South Carolina?

Choosing an MBA program requires more than a glance at the school's reputation or curriculum. The return on investment (ROI) should take center stage in your evaluation. This measurement reveals the potential value derived from your tuition investment, putting key factors such as starting salary and career progression under the microscope.

By scrutinizing the ROI, you're not just making a decision—you're making an informed one. This approach will ensure the selection of an MBA program that provides the most bang for your buck. Checking the ROI might not be an afterthought; it could be the game-changer in your MBA journey.

While the average in-person MBA program ROI from South Carolina is 158%, the lowest ROI is 99% from College of Charleston, and the best ROI is 210% from Francis Marion University.

The ROI from Online MBA programs in South Carolina range between 99% from College of Charleston and 210% from Francis Marion University. The average ROI of online MBA programs within South Carolina is 166%.

In-Person ROI for MBA Programs

• Average: 158% from South Carolina's 11 in-person MBA Programs
• Lowest in-person: 99% from College of Charleston
• Highest in-person: 210% from Francis Marion University

Online ROI for MBA Programs

• Average: 166% from South Carolina's 7 online MBA Programs
• Lowest online: 99% from College of Charleston
• Highest online: 210% from Francis Marion University

What is the Average GMAT Score Needed for an MBA Program in South Carolina?

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized examination used by MBA schools to assess their applicant pool. The test is strategically designed to measure an applicant’s analytical, verbal, writing and mathematical skills. The GMAT is used as a predictor of success in MBA programs and tests one’s ability to successfully handle the advanced quantitative and qualitative study of business and management.

While the average GMAT score needed for in-person MBA program in South Carolina is 525, the lowest average GMAT score is for an MBA program is 400 from Francis Marion University, and the highest GMAT score needed is 670 from University of South Carolina.

The average GMAT score needed for an online MBA program from an institution in South Carolina is between 400 from Francis Marion University to 670 from University of South Carolina. The average GMAT scored for online MBA programs within South Carolina is 521.

Average GMAT Score for In-Person MBA Programs

• Average: 525 from South Carolina's 11 in-person MBA Programs
• Lowest in-person: 400 from Francis Marion University
• Highest in-person: 670 from University of South Carolina

Average GMAT Score for Online MBA Programs

• Average: 521 from South Carolina's 7 online MBA Programs
• Lowest online: 400 from Francis Marion University
• Highest online: 670 from University of South Carolina

Which MBA Schools Have the Highest Student Enrollment in South Carolina?

The importance of networking, whether it's by way of campus job fairs, student organization members, or faculty mentorship, should not be understated. The average MBA enrollment size has a direct impact on your studies, your job prospects, and your ability to define your career goals.

Every B-School has a strategy behind their enrollment sizes. If a prospective B-Student is looking for networking opportunities, wants to attend job fairs, and plans on joining student organizations, B-School enrollment size plays an important role in the decision making process. For the B-Student interested in the smaller cohort-style classroom experience and thrive with face-to-face collaboration with their professors, a manageable enrollment size is the preferred option.

For South Carolina state's MBA programs, the range for full-time enrollment is between 11 and 688. For part-time enrollment, the range is between 12 and 498.

Average Enrollment for Score for In-Person MBA Programs

• Lowest: 11 from University of South Carolina Upstate
• Highest: 688 from University of South Carolina
• Average: 184 from South Carolina's 15 MBA Programs.
• Average: 243 from 879 the nation's campus MBA Programs.

Average Enrollment for Score for Online MBA Programs

• Lowest: 14 from South Carolina State University
• Highest: 688 from University of South Carolina
• Average: 209 from South Carolina's 7 MBA Programs.
• Average: 201 from 327 nation's online MBA Programs.

What MBA Concentrations Available in South Carolina?

Highly competitive B-Schools recruit part-time and full-time professors that are both academic and industry influencers. They are the subject matter experts in their respective concentrations. To meet the diverse needs of South Carolina businesses, MBA programs here have risen to the challenge by offering you an array of more than 41 MBA concentrations including:

• Accounting: 12
• Finance: 12
• Management: 12
• International Business: 12
• Marketing: 12
• General Business: 11
• Entrepreneurship: 11
• Information Systems: 9
• Economics: 8
• Data Analytics: 7

Here are the top schools offering the widest variety of concentrations to choose from:

• The Citadel: 22
• Clemson University: 22
• University of South Carolina: 20
• Lander University: 19
• Coastal Carolina University: 18
• Francis Marion University: 17
• Winthrop University: 15
• University of South Carolina Aiken: 13
• College of Charleston: 12
• University of South Carolina Upstate: 11

The Importance of MBA Accreditation

The importance of accreditation can't be underestimated. For many, knowing your school is accredited by the AACSB and regionally accredited by the US Department of Education is enough assurance that you will receive a quality education, where credits are more likely to transfer, and you will be qualified for loans, grants, and scholarships.

AACSB accreditation is considered to be the gold standard in business school credentialing. Established to promote high-quality business education in the U.S., AACSB members developed a stringent accreditation process. Members are held accountable for following an established business education framework set forth by the AACSB. With that comes MBA degrees conferrals that are widely recognized by Fortune 500 companies. This results in lucrative job opportunities.

Cities Offering MBA Programs in South Carolina

Looking for a particular city in South Carolina with an accredited MBA program? Research and compare MBA programs from other cities in South Carolina. Find online programs, programs by concentration, by average GMAT score and more.

• Aiken
• Charleston
• Clemson
• Columbia
• Conway
• Florence
• Greenwood
• Orangeburg
• Rock Hill
• Spartanburg

MBA Program Options Available in South Carolina

Options for earning your MBA in South Carolina have never been more flexible. South Carolina MBA programs have become adept at offering effective alternatives for you to earn your MBA, no matter your life situation or schedule.

South Carolina has 15 Accredited MBA programs. 0 private and 11 public schools offering MBA programs.

South Carolina has 11 public schools and 0 private schools offering MBA degree programs.

15 Accredited MBA programs.  and 11 public schools offering MBA programs.

South Carolina schools offer 9 different paths to earn your MBA in South Carolina including Online, Campus, Full-Time, 1-Year, Distance Education, Evenings and Weekends, Off Campus, Part-Time and Partnership.

To meet the diverse needs of South Carolina businesses, MBA programs here have risen to the challenge by offering you an array of more than 41 MBA concentrations to specialize in.

Awards for MBA Programs in South Carolina

The ranking of MBA programs is certainly not an exact science and plenty of subjective reasoning and biases come into play. We offer insights into ranking as another way to evaluate a potential MBA program.

Of the 15 accredited MBA programs offered in South Carolina, 11 of them have been recognized by at least one distinguished publication (MBAGuide, PQ, US News, Forbes and FT) garnering an award as one of the best MBA programs in the country.

South Carolina schools have earned a total of 15 Best MBA awards from publications. Here are the top MBA schools and the number of awards the each program has garnered:

• University of South Carolina: 5
• Winthrop University: 1
• University of South Carolina Upstate: 1
• South Carolina State University: 1
• Francis Marion University: 1
• College of Charleston: 1
• University of South Carolina Aiken: 1
• Lander University: 1
• Coastal Carolina University: 1
• The Citadel: 1
• Clemson University: 1

Publications and the number of awards granted for South Carolina schools:

• MBAGuide: 11
• US News: 1
• Forbes: 1
• FT: 1