2025 Best MBA Programs in South Carolina

Compare MBA Program Averages in 2025
South Carolina, the U.S. and Online

Averages	South Carolina MBA Programs	Online MBA Programs	MBA Programs Nationwide
Average MBA Tuition	$24,682	$37,167	$42,528
Average Graduate Salary	$66,900	$79,354	$82,899
Average ROI	196%	196%	185%
Average GMAT Scores	538	561	567

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 $24,682, the least expensive MBA program is $14,096 from University of South Carolina Aiken, and the most expensive is $43,088 from Clemson University.

An Online MBA program from an institution in South Carolina will cost you between $14,096 from University of South Carolina Aiken and $43,088 from Clemson University. The average cost of online MBA programs within South Carolina is $22,682.

Average Tuition for In-Person MBA Programs

Average: $24,230 from South Carolina’s 8 in-person MBA Programs
Lowest in-person: $14,096 from University of South Carolina Aiken
Highest in-person: $43,088 from Clemson University

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 $66,900, the lowest average MBA starting salary is $42,600 from Francis Marion University, and the highest average MBA starting salary is $116,700 from The Citadel.

The average starting salary for graduates of an Online MBA program from an institution in South Carolina is between $42,600 from Francis Marion University and $116,700 from The Citadel. The average starting MBA salary for graduates of online MBA programs within South Carolina is $65,998.

Average Graduate Salaries for In-Person MBA Programs

• Average: $71,175 from South Carolina’s 8 In-Person MBA Programs
• Lowest In-Person: $42,600 from Francis Marion University
• Highest In-Person:$116,700 from The Citadel

What is the Average 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 196%, the lowest ROI is 11% from South Carolina State University, and the best ROI is 435% from The Citadel.

The ROI from Online MBA programs in South Carolina range between 83% from Clemson University and 435% from The Citadel. The average ROI of online MBA programs within South Carolina is 211%.

In-Person ROI for MBA Programs

• Average: 207% from South Carolina’s 8 in-person MBA Programs
• Lowest in-person: 11% from South Carolina State University
• Highest in-person: 435% from The Citadel

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 538, the lowest average GMAT score is for an MBA program is 405 from University of South Carolina Aiken, 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 405 from University of South Carolina Aiken to 646 from Clemson University. The average GMAT scored for online MBA programs within South Carolina is 526.

Average GMAT Score for In-Person MBA Programs

• Average: 559 from South Carolina’s 8 in-person MBA Programs
• Lowest in-person: 405 from University of South Carolina Aiken
• Highest in-person: 670 from University of South Carolina

No GMAT or GRE – Best MBA Programs in South Carolina

MBA Schools with the Most Alumni 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 65 and 276. For part-time enrollment, the range is between : 2.00 and : 457.00.

Average Enrollment for In-Person MBA Programs

• Lowest: 65 from The Citadel
• Highest: 276 from Clemson University
• Average: 123 from South Carolina’s 10 MBA Programs.
• Average: 296 from 511 the nation’s campus 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 26 MBA concentrations including:

• Finance: 8
• Accounting: 8
• General Business: 8
• Marketing: 8
• Management: 8
• Corporate Finance: 6
• Healthcare Administration: 5
• Supply Chain: 4
• Data Analytics: 4
• Economics: 4

What Schools Offer the Widest Variety of MBA Concentrations in South Carolina?

• University of South Carolina: 19
• College of Charleston: 13
• University of South Carolina Aiken: 11
• Coastal Carolina University: 11
• Winthrop University: 8
• Francis Marion University: 8
• The Citadel: 7
• Clemson University: 7
• Lander University: 6
• South Carolina State University: 3

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

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.

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 10 Accredited MBA programs. 0 private and 10 public schools offering MBA programs.

South Carolina has 10 public schools and 0 private schools offering MBA degree programs.

10 Accredited MBA programs.  and 10 public schools offering MBA programs.

South Carolina schools offer 10 different paths to earn your MBA in South Carolina including Full-Time, Campus, Online, Part-Time, Evenings, Weekends, 1-Year, Distance Education, Off Campus 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 26 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 10 accredited MBA programs offered in South Carolina, 10 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 14 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
• 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: 10
• US News: 1
• Forbes: 1
• FT: 1

How We Rank the Best MBA Programs in South Carolina

MBAGuide.org employs a comprehensive ranking methodology that combines quantitative data (80% of the score) with qualitative assessments (20%) to evaluate MBA programs. The quantitative component considers factors such as student-faculty ratio, tuition, enrollment, and post-graduation salaries, while the qualitative aspect incorporates editorial ratings and school reputation, providing a well-rounded view of each program’s quality and value.

Data sources: IPEDS, National Center of Educational Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences (ERIC), Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), 520 MBA Schools, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). If you notice errors in the MBA program database, please contact us.

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