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Top South Carolina RN to BSN Degree Programs

NurseJournal Staff
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Updated November 7, 2022
    If you are an RN, you may consider getting a Bachelor of Science in Nursing to advance your career. South Carolina is a great place to start looking.
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    Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?

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    Some 4.5 million people currently reside in South Carolina. Most of them live in Columbia, the state capital. The rest of the state is very rural, which can be seen in the recreational activities such as golfing, hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping. The economy is mainly reliant on manufacturing and agriculture. The population is both growing and aging, which means there is a significant demand for registered nurses.

    Nursing careers in the state are very interesting, particularly for those who hold at least a BSN degree. This is mainly due to the fact that the shortage of nurses is higher in this state than in most other states. Some 41,870 nurses were employed here in 2012, and their median annual salary stood at $58,940. However, both the demand for nurses and salaries are on the rise, so if you are considering an RN career, then South Carolina is certainly a good place to start.

    Here are the top 7 South Carolina BSN degree programs to help you get started on your search for the best school.

    1. Charleston Southern University – Derry Patterson Wingo School of Nursing

    At Charleston Southern University, students have received a commitment to excellence when it comes to professional nursing. Additionally, it integrates nursing with Christian values. This means students are able to gain employment in a range of different settings once they have graduated. Additionally, they are encouraged to continue their education and achieve a master’s or even doctorate degree.

    • Campus: Charleston, SC
    • Type: Private
    • Accreditation: ACEN
    • Tuition: $11,400 for up to 18 credit hours, $470 per credit hour for every hour thereafter
    • Minimum time commitment: 129 credit hours
    • Online availability: No
    • Degree requirements: GPA of 2.9 minimum, prerequisite courses
    • Programs: BSN
    • School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid

    2. Clemson University

    Clemson University offers a traditional BSN degree program that takes four years to complete. The first two years are all about general education and science, but students are also introduced to nursing subjects as soon as they enroll. The final two years focus solely on nursing itself, allowing students to take part in various clinical experiences. This is done in the state-of-the-art simulation lab on the campus, where they can use human patient simulators. Additionally, they will take part in real life experiences in various health care settings across the state.

    • Campus: Clemson, SC
    • Type: Public
    • Accreditation: CCNE
    • Tuition: $13,808 per year for residents and $31,824 for non residents
    • Minimum time commitment: Four years
    • Online availability: No
    • Degree requirements: High school or GED
    • Programs: BSN
    • School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid
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    3. Francis Marion University

    Francis Marion University understands just how versatile nursing is. As such, the school offers a highly generalized BSN degree program that prepares students to take on roles in a range of health care settings. Graduates are highly sought after by employers for their scientific knowledge and skills. The school has been able to demonstrate consistently that their graduates are able to bring about positive change in the field of health care.

    • Campus: Florence, SC
    • Type: Public
    • Accreditation: ACEN
    • Tuition: $4,633 per semester for South Carolina residents and $9,266 for non-residents
    • Minimum time commitment: Four years
    • Online availability: No
    • Degree requirements: Transcripts, prerequisite courses, GPA of 3.0 minimum, three letters of reference, personal statement
    • Programs: BSN
    • School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid

    4. Lander University

    Lander University offers a BSN curriculum that is always up-to-date with the latest developments in the field of nursing. The foundation is based strongly on liberal arts, but also on the theoretical and scientific foundations of nursing. This means they will also learn how to deal with the technology that is particular to the 21st century. Students go beyond simply understanding how to look after the sick. Instead, they will learn how to educate others on maintaining good health. The curriculum uses the Neuman Systems Model, which means it focuses on holistic care.

    • Campus: Greenwood, SC
    • Type: Public
    • Accreditation: ACEN
    • Tuition: $4,572 per semester for in state students and $8,652 for out of state students
    • Minimum time commitment: Four years
    • Online availability: No
    • Degree requirements: High school or GED
    • Programs: BSN
    • School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid

    5. Newberry College

    At Newberry College, nursing students can take part in a shared program that has been developed together with the Lexington Medical Center. Students receive the full dedication of faculty staff and the curriculum incorporates nursing teachings with Christian traditions. The learning environment is highly dynamic to give students many real-world experiences.

    • Campus: Newberry, SC
    • Type: Private
    • Accreditation: CCNE
    • Tuition: $24,300 for two semesters for off campus students and $33,600 for on campus students
    • Minimum time commitment: Four years
    • Online availability: No
    • Degree requirements: Prerequisite courses, GPA of 2.75 minimum, TEAS-V
    • Programs: BSN
    • School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid

    6. South Carolina State University

    South Carolina University’s Department of Nursing has a clear mission: to ensure that their learning environment is multicultural and of high quality. Graduates are expected to become leaders, scholars, clinicians and researchers. They are committed to bringing about nursing excellence and ascertaining that health care delivery is as good as it can be. The curriculum is dynamic and innovative and makes sure that students are fully engaged in their own learning experiences. Additionally, they will be educated by highly experience professionals, thereby guaranteeing that they are ready to meet the demands of the population.

    • Campus: Orangeburg, SC
    • Type: Public
    • Accreditation: CCNE
    • Tuition: $5,044 per semester for in state students and $9,928 for out of state students
    • Minimum time commitment: Four years
    • Online availability: No
    • Degree requirements: Prerequisite courses, GPA, SAT, ACT
    • Programs: BSN
    • School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid

    7. University of South Carolina

    At the University of South Carolina, students take part in a BSN degree program that has two different levels. The first level is all about general education in liberal arts, including math, English, history, nursing and science. However, the focus is already on wellness, health, nursing history, communication, pharmacology and nutrition. Students must complete this level before they can take part in the second level of the program. Additionally, the program is highly rigorous and only accepts the best of the best. This means that even those who complete the first level are not guaranteed to be accepted to the second level. At the second level, students start to take part in classroom instruction and clinical simulations. Only full-time students who follow the curriculum as it is offered will be able to graduate.

    • Campus: Columbia, SC
    • Type: Public
    • Accreditation: CCNE
    • Tuition: $11,158 per year for in state students and $29,440 for out of state, non resident students
    • Minimum time commitment: 4 years
    • Online availability: No
    • Degree requirements: High school or GED
    • Programs: BSN
    • School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid