South Carolina Nursing Schools and Programs
- Top Schools and Programs
- How to Choose a Program
- Why Become a Nurse
- Salary Outlook
- State Nursing Requirements
Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?
Credit: John Coletti / The Image Bank / Getty ImagesThe U.S. Department of Health and Human Services projects that by 2030, South Carolina could have an unmet need for 10,400 nurses. With 25 fully-accredited nursing schools in South Carolina and more nursing programs applying for approval, how do you choose the best option for your needs?
This guide identifies the top nursing programs in South Carolina, outlines salary and employment prospects, and explores how to earn a South Carolina nursing license.
Keep reading to learn more about becoming a nurse in South Carolina, or go straight to our list of the best nursing schools in South Carolina or our list of the best nurse practitioner (NP) programs in South Carolina.
Popular Online MSN Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
The Best Nursing Schools in South Carolina
Whether you’re looking for a two-year associate degree in nursing (ADN), a four-year bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), or a graduate degree in nursing, there’s a nursing program in South Carolina for your career goals.
Anderson University
Anderson, SC- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Anderson University is a private Christian university offering several nursing programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Students can choose from various program options, including a traditional BSN program. Those with some college experience can graduate in 15 months by enrolling in the accelerated BSN track.
Graduate students can enroll in online and hybrid programs. These programs offer students more flexibility, especially if they are already working as nurses.
- Program(s): Traditional bachelor of science in nursing (TBSN); Accelerated bachelor of science in nursing (ABSN); RN to BSN; BSN to MSN (family nurse practitioner, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner); BSN to DNP (family nurse practitioner, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner); MSN to DNP (advanced practice nursing, executive leadership)
- Campus: Anderson, South Carolina
- Type: Private
- Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Tuition: $500/credit (BSN); $890/credit (ABSN); $755/credit (MSN); $855/credit (DNP)
- Admission Requirements: Undergraduate students need a high school degree and standardized tests with a minimum test score, depending on the program. Requirements for graduate students differ, but applicants need either an undergraduate or graduate degree.
- Minimum Time Commitment: 15 months-4 years, depending on the program
- On-Campus Requirements: Depends on the program
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2022): 92.42%
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $113,692 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$26,820
- Out-of-state$26,820
- In-State$10,140
- Out-of-state$10,140
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate59%
- Students Enrolled3,848
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment60%
- AccreditationYes
Bob Jones University
- Greenville, SC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Bob Jones University, a private Christian institution in Greenville, offers a BSN program. Students take courses on campus, enrolling in a mix of religious and nursing classes.
Students complete clinical experience over six semesters. During their fourth year, learners also take a six-week capstone practicum and a research course.
Nursing majors may also participate in the university's short-term medical mission trips. BJU offers students job support through an online career board and job fairs.
- Program(s): Bachelor of science in nursing
- Campus: Greenville, South Carolina
- Type: Private
- Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools
- Tuition: $10,605/semester (undergraduate); $6,900/semester (graduate)
- Admission Requirements: High school transcripts or GED certificate, a personal profession of faith, and two references.
- Minimum Time Commitment: Four years
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2022): 83.87%
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $60,240 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$19,288
- Out-of-state$19,288
- In-State$8,793
- Out-of-state$8,793
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled3,029
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment21%
- AccreditationYes
Clemson University
- Clemson, SC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Clemson University offers several nursing degrees for aspiring and experienced nurses at different stages in their careers.
The traditional bachelor's program lasts four years. Students spend their second and third years in clinicals, and they also practice on high-tech human patient simulators.
The university designed the accelerated BSN for students who already have a bachelor's degree, though not necessarily in nursing. It follows a full-time, 16-month curriculum.
The RN-to-BSN program follows an online format, allowing registered nurses to pursue their bachelor's degree while working.
Clemson also offers a master's degree with a concentration in nursing education.
- Program(s): Bachelor of science in nursing — traditional track; Bachelor of science in nursing — accelerated track; RN-to-BSN; Master of science in nursing
- Campus: Clemson, South Carolina
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Tuition: $8,560/semester for in-state students and $20,532/semester for out-of-state students (undergraduate); $9,930/semester for in-state students and $17,450/semester for out-of-state students (graduate)
- Admission Requirements: For a BSN: a high school degree; For an RN-to-BSN: an ADN with a minimum 2.75 GPA and an RN license; For an MSN: BSN with minimum 3.25 GPA, three recommendation letters, an RN license
- Minimum Time Commitment: Depends on the program
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2022): 90.61%
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $57,874 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$14,118
- Out-of-state$37,110
- In-State$10,600
- Out-of-state$22,050
- Retention Rate94%
- Acceptance Rate62%
- Students Enrolled26,406
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment85%
- AccreditationYes
Lander University
- Greenwood, SC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
The school of nursing at Greenwood-based Lander College offers several healthcare-related degrees, including three nursing degrees. Students can enroll in a traditional BSN, an online RN-to-BSN, and an online MSN.
The traditional BSN consists of 120 credits, which students can complete in four years. The RN-to-BSN allows students to pick up where they left off with their ADN.
The MSN curriculum includes a clinical nurse leader concentration. Students must complete several clinical nurse leader practicum courses and 400 clinical hours. Graduates are eligible to sit for the clinical nurse leader certification exam
- Program(s): Bachelor of science in nursing; RN-to-BSN; MSN with a clinical nurse leader concentration
- Campus: Greenwood, South Carolina
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Tuition: $11,700 per year for in-state students and $21,300 per year for out-of-state students (undergraduate); $6,540 per year (graduate)
- Admission Requirements: For a BSN: a high school degree; For an RN-to-BSN: an ADN and an RN license; For an MSN: a BSN with a minimum 3.0 GPA and RN licensure
- Minimum Time Commitment: Depends on the program
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2022): 95.83%
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $56,189 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$10,700
- Out-of-state$20,300
- In-State$8,856
- Out-of-state$16,844
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate57%
- Students Enrolled3,513
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment81%
- AccreditationYes
University of South Carolina Aiken
- Aiken, SC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
At the University of South Carolina Aiken, students can enroll in either a traditional BSN or RN-to-BSN program.
The traditional BSN lasts four years, and students must apply to the program after completing prerequisite college coursework. Learners complete several courses in specific areas of nursing and a senior clinical practicum.
Registered nurses aiming to earn their bachelor's degree can enroll in the online RN-to-BSN program and graduate as soon as 12 months.
- Program(s): Traditional BSN; RN-to-BSN completion track
- Campus: Aiken, South Carolina
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Tuition: $10,398 per year for in-state students and $20,856 per year for out-of-state students (BSN); $306 per credit (Online RN-to-BSN)
- Admission Requirements: For a BSN, a high school degree and a minimum 3.0 GPA in all prerequisite college courses, two references, and an essay; For an RN-to-BSN, an associate degree in nursing, a 2.5 GPA on all prior undergraduate coursework, and an RN license.
- Minimum Time Commitment: Four years for the traditional BSN; 12 months for the RN-to-BSN
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes (BSN); No (RN-to-BSN)
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2022): 85.33%
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $60,689 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$10,398
- Out-of-state$20,856
- In-State$13,734
- Out-of-state$29,760
- Retention Rate66%
- Acceptance Rate56%
- Students Enrolled3,944
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment94%
- AccreditationYes
How to Choose a Nursing Program in South Carolina
This guide only includes accredited schools, since accreditation is vital to education and career success. Important considerations include total cost (tuition and other expenses, along with financial aid); the NCLEX-RN pass rate; acceptance rate; graduation rate; program format; curriculum; and location and where you can find clinical placement, especially if you plan to attend online.
Why Become a Nurse in South Carolina
The high demand for nurses in South Carolina puts nursing school graduates in an excellent position for job hunting. While the median salary for nurses is $66,050, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the cost of living, at 94.8, is below the U.S. index of 100. South Carolina is also a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, which means nurses with a South Carolina nursing license can practice in the 39 other compact states.
In addition, South Carolina hosts some of the most beautiful cities and tourist areas of the U.S., including Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and Hilton Head Island. If you like beaches, landscaped gardens and parks, or fine southern cuisine, South Carolina has much to offer.
Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in South Carolina
Both the cost of living and median annual nursing salaries in South Carolina are lower than figures for the U.S. overall. The median salary for a registered nurse (RN) in South Carolina is $66,050, according to the BLS, compared to $75,330 nationally. Similarly, the median salary for an NP is $98,940, compared to $111,680 nationally.
Although salaries are lower than national medians, the cost of living is also lower. With rising demand for nurses, including 9.4% projected job growth between 2018 and 2028 and an anticipated shortage of 10,400 nurses, salaries trend upward. This makes earning a degree from a nursing school in South Carolina an even more valuable investment.
Some of Charleston’s most beautiful locations also offer the highest salaries in the state. Many of these cities host academic medical centers. If you are looking for an even higher salary, the lower Savannah South Carolina nonmetropolitan area’s average salary for an RN is $72,920.
| Top Paying Metropolitan Areas | Median Salary for RNs |
|---|---|
| Spartanburg | $69,260 |
| Charleston-North Charleston | $69,130 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort | $67,450 |
| Florence | $66,240 |
| Columbia | $66,100 |
Steps to Becoming a Nurse in South Carolina
South Carolina is an NLC state, so you can practice in South Carolina if you have a license from another NLC state. However, if you transfer residence to South Carolina, you must apply for a South Carolina license.
RN Requirements
Like other states, South Carolina requires prospective RNs to graduate from an ADN or BSN program and pass the NCLEX-RN examination. The state board of nursing also requires that you submit a copy of your driver’s license, passport number, or equivalent identification and a notarized signature affidavit with a 2 x 2 color passport photo form.
You must pass a criminal background check. If you attended nursing school in South Carolina, have your school submit a certificate of endorsement form. If you graduated from a nursing school in another state, have your school send official transcripts.
The full requirements are on the South Carolina State Board of Nursing website.
APRN Requirements
For advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) licensing, you need a master of science in nursing (MSN) or a doctor of nursing practice (DNP). You must also pass the board certification examination.
The state board of nursing requirements include a valid South Carolina RN license; confirmation of education and specialization; and, if you intend to prescribe medications, an application for prescriptive authority, with 45 hours in completed pharmacology coursework in the last two years prior to applying. This requirement must include at least 15 hours in controlled substance pharmacology or a graduate-level pharmacology course within the last two years.
Other Top Nursing Programs in South Carolina
Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing in South Carolina
The median salary for South Carolina nurses is $66,050, but salaries vary based on location and experience. In the rural lower Savannah area, for example, the average salary for an RN is $72,920, because of the higher demand. The median salary for a nurse practitioner is $98,940
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