Clemson ranks as best value of S.C. colleges
Clemson University topped the list of colleges and universities in South Carolina that provide the best value to its students, according to a new study conducted by SmartAsset, an online financial data and technology company.
Clemson ranked 36th nationally for best value. The University of Michigan ranked first.
The top 10 colleges in South Carolina, in order, are: Clemson, Wofford College, University of South Carolina, College of Charleston, S.C. State University, Furman University, Charleston Southern University, Bob Jones University, Coastal Carolina University and Winthrop University.
South Carolina ranked among the lowest six states for best value of the 48 contiguous states. SmartAsset didn't do a state-by-state ranking but did provide South Carolina's statistics versus the rest of the United States, said Steve Sabato, spokesman for SmartAsset.
South Carolina
Average scholarships and grants: $10,655
Average starting salary: $39,500
Tuition: $15,287
Living costs: $13,335
Student retention rate: 67 percent
United States
Average scholarships and grants: $9,686
Average starting salary: $43,242
Tuition: $16,190
Living costs: $13,499
Living costs: 71 percent
SmartAsset looked at each school's average scholarships and grants, starting salary upon graduation, tuition (using in-state costs where applicable), living costs (including room and board, books, supplies, transportation and other personal expenses) and student retention rate.
Each of the factors was weighted equally, then ranked in an index where the top school was assigned a score of 100.
SmartAsset used the 2013 National Center for Educational Statistics, 2014 Payscale and 2013 College InSight to form its analysis.
Snapshot: The top 10 S.C. schools
SmartAsset‘s ranking of S.C. colleges offering best value. The survey looked at each school's average scholarships and grants, starting salary upon graduation, tuition (using in-state costs where applicable), living costs (including room and board, books, supplies, transportation and other personal expenses) and student retention rate. Each of the factors was weighted equally, then ranked in an index where the top school was assigned a score of 100.
1. Clemson University
Affordability index: 83.73
Average scholarships and grants: $13,817
Starting salary upon graduation: $49,000
Tuition: $12,674
Living costs: $14,676
Retention rate: 92 percent
2. Wofford College
Affordability Index: 68.01
Average scholarships and grants: $25,677
Starting salary upon graduation: $40,900
Tuition: $34,555
Living costs: $11,117
Retention rate: 89 percent
3. University of South Carolina
Affordability index: 62.18
Average scholarships and grants: $7,423
Starting salary upon graduation: $41,300
Tuition: $10,488
Living costs: $14,868
Retention rate: 87 percent
4. College of Charleston
Affordability index: 58.19
Average scholarships and grants: $8,737
Starting salary upon graduation: $36,700
Tuition: $9,918
Living costs: $14,046
Retention rate: 83 percent
5. South Carolina State University
Affordability index: 49.86
Average scholarships and grants: $15,554
Starting salary upon graduation: $44,100
Tuition: $9,258
Living costs: $17,216
Retention rate: 60 percent
6. Furman University
Affordability index: 47.95
Average scholarships and grants: $26,216
Starting salary upon graduation: $41,400
Tuition: $41,532
Living costs: $14,218
Retention rate: 87 percent
7. Charleston Southern University
Affordability index: 47.30
Average scholarships and grants: $21,115
Starting salary upon graduation: $39,700
Tuition: $21,440
Living costs: $14,600
Retention rate: 65 percent
8. Bob Jones University
Affordability index: 44.05
Average scholarships and grants: $8,359
Starting salary upon graduation: $39,600
Tuition: $13,090
Living costs: $17,308
Retention rate: 80 percent
9. Coastal Carolina University
Affordability index: 40.35
Average scholarships and grants: $7,584
Starting salary upon graduation: $35,600
Tuition: $9,760
Living costs: $13,364
Retention rate: 63 percent
10. Winthrop University
Affordability index: 39.82
Average scholarships and grants: $9,043
Starting salary upon graduation: $38,500
Tuition: $13,266
Living costs: $16,280
Retention rate: 72 percent
This story was originally published April 16, 2015 at 8:00 AM with the headline "Clemson ranks as best value of S.C. colleges."