South Carolina employs a growing share of nurse practitioners and clinical specialists, and nine South Carolina schools with MSN programs now offer meaningful online delivery, from Clemson's hybrid Adult-Gerontology Primary Care track to a fully asynchronous nurse educator degree at Coker. Tuition alone spans a wide range, roughly $9,800 at the low end to over $35,000 at private institutions, and completion paths differ just as sharply depending on whether an applicant enters with a BSN, an associate degree, or no nursing background at all.
That spread creates real friction: a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration at one school may cost, and take, nothing like the same specialty elsewhere. Program structure, not marketing copy, decides the outcome.
Best Online MSN Schools in South Carolina
South Carolina's online-eligible MSN programs range from Upstate hybrid cohorts tied to major health systems to fully online educator and leadership tracks. The schools below are listed in order of overall quality rather than by any single measure such as price or speed. Each entry notes in-state and out-of-state tuition, available concentrations, delivery format, and the institution-wide graduation rate; program-level earnings are not yet published for these MSN tracks.
How we ranked these
- Earnings ten years after entry
- Graduation rates institution-wide
- Program breadth and online access
- Accreditation and clinical requirements
- Tuition and net price considered lightly
- Original research on individual programs
- NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
- College Scorecard post-completion earnings data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- In-house program catalog data
Clemson University
#1Clemson, SC · $10,000 – $15,000/yr (est.)
Best for: Upstate nurses pursuing geriatric primary care
Clemson University's only MSN offering is an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner track, delivered in a hybrid format from the school's Greenville site on the Prisma Health campus. Cohorts are small, admit once a year, and complete clinical rotations across the Upstate health system. Graduate tuition is about $11,200 in state and $23,400 out of state, and the institution-wide graduation rate is 86.6%.
- Hybrid format with online coursework and Greenville intensives
- Small cohorts admitted once a year for an August start
- 3.3 GPA minimum plus three letters of recommendation
- Clinical rotations through Prisma Health across the Upstate
- Coursework in advanced health assessment and pharmacology
- In-depth gerontology plus mental health and informatics courses
- Final practicum integrates primary care knowledge and skills
- CCNE accredited
University of South Carolina
#2Columbia, SC · ~$14,000/yr (est.)
Best for: Working nurses wanting multiple online specialties
The University of South Carolina in Columbia carries the deepest MSN portfolio in the state, with online tracks for family, acute care, and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners plus nursing education, informatics, two RN-to-MSN bridges, and a direct entry option for career changers. Most tracks are fully online with practicums arranged near the student's community, while the direct entry route is hybrid. Graduate tuition is about $13,700 in state and $29,800 out of state, and the institution-wide graduation rate is 78.8%.
- 39-credit online program completed in five semesters
- 504 clinical hours arranged near students' home communities
- Rolling admissions with summer, fall, and spring starts
- No GRE required; 3.0 GPA and three references
- Asynchronous classes in 7- or 15-week terms
- Prepares graduates for the nurse educator certification exam
- Capstone required
- Online didactic coursework with clinical placements in the field
- Fall and summer admission terms
- 3.0 GPA minimum and three letters of reference
- Requires 2,400 hours of nursing experience
- Current RN licensure and BLS certification required
- Prepares graduates for family nurse practitioner certification
- Online coursework with an on-campus immersion in Columbia
- Minimum 3.0 GPA and one year of nursing experience
- BLS and ACLS certification required
- Fall and summer admission terms
- Clinical preparation in acute care settings
- Prepares graduates for ANCC acute care certification
- State authorization restrictions apply
- 48 to 51 credit hours delivered online
- BSN entry with a 3.0 GPA minimum
- Includes practicum courses and an on-campus immersion
- Covers psychopharmacology and advanced health assessment
- Lifespan mental health care with trauma-related content
- Prepares graduates for national certification
- 36 credit hours; four semesters full time or seven part time
- 225 practicum hours with flexible placement
- No GRE required; 3.0 GPA and three references
- Rolling admissions with fall and spring entry
- Coursework spans data management and health database systems
- Prepares graduates for ANCC informatics certification
- Bridge coursework for RNs before the MSN core begins
- 39 total credit hours with about 500 clinical hours
- Rolling admissions with fall and summer starts
- 3.0 GPA minimum and three references
- Prepares graduates for the certified nurse educator exam
- Seven-week and 15-week course formats
- On-campus immersion for advanced assessment
- 36 total credit hours with 225 clinical hours
- Bridge courses for RNs entering graduate study
- Rolling admissions with fall and summer starts
- No GRE required with a 3.0 GPA minimum
- 100% online didactic coursework
- Practicum arranged in the student's geographic region
- Integrates nursing, technology, and informatics
- Hybrid program for students with a non-nursing bachelor's degree
- Prepares graduates for RN licensure and the MSN
- Spring semester admission only
- Prerequisites include anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and chemistry
- Science prerequisites must be completed within five years
- Three professional references and a personal goal statement required
- CCNE accredited
Anderson University
#3Anderson, SC · ~$14,000/yr (est.)
Best for: Nurses moving into education and leadership roles
Anderson University is a private Christian university in the Upstate whose MSN covers four concentrations: family nurse practitioner, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, nurse educator, and executive leadership. Coursework is online with on-campus sessions each semester, and instructors are practicing nurses. Graduate tuition is the same for in-state and out-of-state students at about $13,000, and the institution-wide graduation rate is 65.7%.
- 47 credit hours with online classes and on-campus sessions
- Four concentration options across the MSN
- Synchronous and asynchronous course options
- Cohort-based structure built for working nurses
- 3.0 GPA minimum and two letters of recommendation
- Capstone required with a $25 application fee
- Bridge courses available for ADN-prepared nurses
- 51 total credit hours delivered in a hybrid format
- Five semesters with an August start
- BSN required; 1 to 2 years of experience recommended
- Courses cover psychopharmacology and lifespan care
- Taught by practicing nurses
- Prepares students for psychiatric mental health certification
- 41 credit hours with 400 clinical hours
- Hybrid format with on-campus sessions each semester
- BSN with a 3.2 GPA required for admission
- Integrates MBA coursework in healthcare leadership
- Prepares students for the NEA-BC exam
- Covers quality, safety, and emergency preparedness
Lander University
#4Greenwood, SC · ~$10,000/yr (est.)
Lander University in Greenwood delivers its Clinical Nurse Leader MSN online, with an on-campus immersion and clinical hours placed close to where students live. Nurse educator and nursing leadership and administration concentrations let nurses steer the degree toward teaching or management. Graduate tuition is about $9,800 in state and $9,900 out of state, and the institution-wide graduation rate is 49.8%. Students may qualify for South Carolina's BOLD loan program for future nursing faculty.
- Online format with an on-campus immersion component
- 500 clinical hours placed near the student's location
- 3.0 GPA and a current RN license required
- Undergraduate statistics prerequisite required
- Nurse educator and nursing leadership concentrations
- Prepares graduates for CNL certification
- BOLD loan program available for future faculty
University of South Carolina-Upstate
#5Spartanburg, SC · ~$14,000/yr (est.)
The University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg offers an online MSN built around nursing leadership, with coursework in budgeting, policy, and interprofessional teamwork. Students complete 187 clinical hours and can finish in two years full time or three years part time. Graduate tuition is about $13,700 in state and $29,800 out of state, and the institution-wide graduation rate is 43.0%.
- Online coursework for RNs who already hold a BSN
- 187 clinical hours completed in real clinical settings
- Full time in two years or part time in three
- Covers budgeting, scheduling, and policy development
- Concentrations in nursing leadership, education, and clinical nurse leader
- Prepares nurses for manager, director, and educator roles
Claflin University
#6Orangeburg, SC · ~$11,000/yr (est.)
Claflin University in Orangeburg is a historically Black university and the state's only HBCU with a nursing pipeline that runs from the RN level through the master's degree. Its online family nurse practitioner MSN uses asynchronous coursework with a one-week on-campus intensive each semester, and students arrange their own clinical sites. Graduate tuition is about $10,500 for in-state and out-of-state students alike, and the institution-wide graduation rate is 51.6%.
- 47 credit hours delivered through asynchronous online classes
- One-week on-campus clinical intensive each semester
- Students arrange their own clinical sites
- Two concentration options within the MSN
- 3.0 GPA minimum and two letters of recommendation
- One admission cycle each year with a fall start
- RN licensure, BLS certification, and a BSN required
Francis Marion University
#7Florence, SC · $11,000 – $22,000/yr (est.)
Francis Marion University in Florence runs hybrid MSN tracks for family and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, with all didactic coursework online and no more than two campus visits per semester. The psychiatric track is oriented toward rural and underserved mental health care in the Pee Dee region. Graduate tuition is about $11,200 in state and $21,500 out of state, and the institution-wide graduation rate is 43.4%.
- 55 credit hours with 780 clinical practicum hours
- Mostly online, with limited campus visits in Florence
- Full time in about 2.5 years with part-time options
- Fall semester admission
- Students locate their own preceptor in primary care
- Prepares graduates for AANP and ANCC certification
- Post-master's certificate option for current NPs
- Advanced practice preparation in psychiatric mental health
- Hybrid delivery with mostly online coursework
- Minimal on-campus visits
- National certification eligibility on completion
- Rural and underserved mental health care focus
- Certificate students can complete hybrid work virtually
Coker University
#8Hartsville, SC · ~$17,000/yr (est.)
Coker University in Hartsville offers a compact online MSN in nursing education, delivered in eight-week asynchronous terms with no campus visits required. At 30 credit hours it is the leanest nurse educator pathway among South Carolina's online MSN options. Graduate tuition is about $16,600 for all students, and the institution-wide graduation rate is 39.5%.
- 30 total credit hours
- Eight-week fully asynchronous online courses
- No campus visits required
- 50 internship hours included
- 3.0 GPA minimum and two letters of recommendation
- Active nursing license required for admission
- Prepares nurses for staff, patient, community, or academic educator roles
- Accredited by the NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation
South University-Columbia
#9Columbia, SC · $15,000 – $20,000/yr (est.)
South University's Columbia campus offers MSN tracks in family nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology primary care, nurse administration, and nursing informatics, with online didactic coursework and in-person clinicals. The campus is no longer enrolling new students in the family nurse practitioner track and directs applicants to the university's online nursing programs. Tuition is flat for in-state and out-of-state students at about $16,100, and the institution-wide graduation rate is 23.3%.
- Hybrid format combining online coursework with campus experiences
- Prepares graduates for national certification and state licensure
- Focus on patient care across all age groups
- CCNE accredited
- 56 credit hours at $660 per credit hour
- Online didactic coursework with in-person clinicals
- 2.5 GPA minimum with an active RN license
- Meets NONPF competencies for primary care
- Covers health promotion and disease prevention
- Also offered as an RN-to-MSN pathway with 62 credits
- Hybrid format with online and campus options
- Designed for nurses moving into administrative roles
- Covers policy, finance, and patient safety
- Ethics and technology integration in healthcare delivery
- Includes clinical experiences
- 44 credit hours: 12-credit core plus 32-credit specialization
- Online format using the Brightspace platform
- BSN with a 2.5 GPA required
- Includes practicum courses and a graduate project
- Covers data analysis, project management, and quality improvement
- Prepares nurses for informatics specialist roles
MSN Pathways Explained: BSN-to-MSN, RN-to-MSN, and Direct Entry
South Carolina nurses have three main routes to a Master of Science in Nursing, each designed for a different starting point. BSN-to-MSN programs are the most common and skip bridge coursework entirely. RN-to-MSN programs bundle BSN-level bridge courses into the master's curriculum so ADN-prepared nurses can earn both credentials in one continuous plan of study. Direct Entry MSN programs serve career changers who hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree and need both pre-licensure training and graduate coursework.
MSN Specialties Available in South Carolina
South Carolina's MSN programs cover a range of specializations, though availability varies considerably by school. Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Nurse Educator concentrations are the most widely offered, appearing at multiple institutions across the state. Specialties such as Adult Gerontology Primary Care NP, Clinical Nurse Leader, and Nurse Executive Leadership are less common, each offered at only one or two schools.
| School | Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) | Nurse Educator | Nursing Leadership / Administration | Adult Gerontology Primary Care NP | Clinical Nurse Leader |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clemson University | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| University of South Carolina | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Anderson University | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Lander University | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| USC Upstate | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Claflin University | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Francis Marion University | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Coker University | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| South University, Columbia | Yes | No | No | No | No |
South Carolina by City
Explore other South Carolina related topics
How Much Do Online MSN Programs Cost in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, the first cost fork is public versus private: public universities list lower in-state graduate tuition but charge out-of-state students substantially more, while private programs usually post one tuition rate for everyone. For online MSN degree programs, the more useful figure is the published program rate, which can narrow or remove the out-of-state penalty.
Published Tuition in Ranked SC Programs
Among public institutions, in-state tuition and fees run from about $11,160 at Francis Marion University to $15,554 at Clemson University, with out-of-state rates from about $21,300 at Lander University to $40,866 at Clemson. Lander's online track nearly converges at $9,810 in-state and $9,910 out-of-state. Francis Marion reports $11,388 in-state and $21,997 out-of-state for its Family NP (FNP) track, and USC's nursing education track lists $14,134 in-state and $30,160 out-of-state.
Private options in the set show flat published rates: Claflin lists $10,912 for its FNP track, Anderson $13,759, South University-Columbia $16,611, and Coker $16,960 for its 30-credit nursing education MSN. These are published tuition figures, not final costs after aid.
Net Price Is Not a Guarantee
Average net price at a university is an institution-wide figure after financial aid , a key factor in how to afford nursing school , often shaped by undergraduate aid packages; it does not set your MSN bill. Compare per-credit or per-program tuition, fees, and clinical costs for your specific concentration.
SC Funding and Loan Repayment
- BOLD Career Pathway: up to $30,000 per academic year and $90,000 over three years for MSN, DNP, or PhD students at South Carolina public colleges and universities, with a two-year nursing faculty service commitment per year of support.
- USC College of Nursing: graduate scholarship application for new students open December 15, 2025 through June 1, 2026 for 2026-27.
- MUSC: scholarship for an RN working toward a BSN or MSN.
- NHSC Loan Repayment: up to $50,000 for eligible licensed clinicians in fields such as nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, or DNP, with at least two years at an NHSC-approved site. Confirm your specialty qualifies.
- SC Nurses Care and employer aid: SC Nurses Care does not publish current 2026 details, and Bill 4782 awards do not begin until July 1, 2027.1 Employer tuition reimbursement varies by workplace, with no statewide standard.
Credit Hours Change the Total
Credit totals range from 30 at Coker to 55 at Francis Marion, with several programs near 39 to 47. A lower annual sticker can still produce a higher total if the program requires many credits or added clinical fees. Request a written estimate for your concentration, residency status, and planned pace before enrolling.
How Long Does It Take to Earn an MSN in South Carolina?
An MSN timeline is simply the number of semesters it takes to move from your current credential (BSN, RN with an associate degree, or non-nursing bachelor's) to a master's in nursing, and that number depends heavily on which entry pathway you choose and how many clinical hours your specialty requires.
Typical Timelines by Pathway
- BSN-to-MSN: Usually 18 to 24 months of full-time study, since students enter with core nursing coursework already completed.
- RN-to-MSN: Typically 2.5 to 3.5 years, because these programs bridge missing bachelor's-level content before layering on graduate coursework.
- Direct-Entry MSN (non-nurses): Generally around 3 years, since students must first complete prelicensure nursing content before advancing to graduate-level study.
Part-Time Pacing
Many South Carolina programs, including options at USC and Charleston Southern, are built for working nurses and allow part-time enrollment. Stretching coursework over more semesters extends overall completion time but keeps the weekly workload manageable alongside a nursing job. Charleston Southern's online format, which includes two brief on-campus meetings, is one example of a design meant to accommodate working students.
Clinical Hours Shape the Calendar
Nurse practitioner programs in South Carolina carry substantial supervised clinical requirements, generally falling in the 500 to 750 hour range depending on specialty, though some South Carolina programs run higher. USC's FNP track, for instance, reports clinical requirements well above that range across its eight-semester plan, while Clemson's NP programs total 675 hours with a portion required under APRN preceptor supervision. Because these hours must be completed in blocks tied to preceptor availability and semester scheduling, clinical requirements often set the real pace of a program more than credit count alone. Non-clinical tracks, like nursing informatics or healthcare leadership, carry lighter or no direct-care hour requirements and tend to move faster.
Accelerated Options
A handful of programs offer year-round, accelerated MSN programs that compress breaks between semesters, shaving months off the standard timeline for students able to sustain a heavier continuous course load.
MSN Salary and Career Outcomes in South Carolina
What can MSN-prepared nurses expect to earn in South Carolina, and does the degree pay off after tuition and debt? The answer depends on role, setting, and location, but state-level occupational data show clear earnings advantages in advanced practice, education, and leadership; MSN Salary - Here is What to Expect offers a broader national comparison.
Program-Level Earnings Are Limited
Federal data do not currently report program-specific median earnings one, two, or four years after completion for the South Carolina MSN programs in this list. When those program-completer earnings become available, they will offer the most precise school-to-school comparison. For now, use state occupational medians plus each program's total cost and debt profile. Also avoid treating institution-wide 10-year earnings as MSN outcomes; those averages cover all former students, not only MSN completers.
State Occupational Wages for MSN Roles
The most recent federal occupational data for South Carolina show: - Nurse practitioners: 5,670 employed; median annual wage $123,290. This estimate uses the May 2025 reference period. - Nursing educators (postsecondary): 1,150 employed; median annual wage $79,900. - Nursing administrators/managers: 8,150 employed; median annual wage $105,220.
These are occupational medians, not starting salaries. New MSN graduates, especially in educator or manager roles, often begin below the median and move up with experience and certification in nursing specialties with salary growth potential.
Debt and Earnings: A Favorable Return
Reported median graduate debt across the ranked schools ranges from roughly $21,500 to $29,000. Compared with a nurse practitioner median wage above $120,000 per year, a mid-$20,000 debt load is modest. Educator pathways have lower median pay, so the payoff takes longer, but lower tuition at several public universities helps balance that tradeoff. When comparing programs, use total net price rather than sticker tuition.
South Carolina Demand Drivers
A large rural population, an aging state population, and persistent primary care shortages continue to drive demand for family nurse practitioners, nurse educators, and nursing administrators (see Best Family Nurse Practitioner Programs in South Carolina). Graduates willing to practice in rural or underserved areas may find broader job options and, in some cases, loan repayment or incentive support.
South Carolina NP Salaries at a Glance
South Carolina's MSN-prepared nurses earn competitive salaries, though median wages generally fall slightly below national figures. For example, the national median for nurse practitioners is approximately $126,260, compared to about $111,840 in South Carolina, reflecting regional cost-of-living differences.
MSN Accreditation and Licensing in South Carolina
Accreditation is the seal that confirms an MSN program meets national quality standards, and it determines whether graduates can even sit for certification exams. Two agencies handle this for nursing: the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Any program worth considering at the Best Nursing Schools in South Carolina, online or on campus, should carry one of these. Skipping this check risks enrolling in a program whose graduates are not eligible for licensure or national certification.
Licensure Steps for Aspiring APRNs
Graduates pursuing nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or clinical nurse specialist roles must become licensed as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses through the South Carolina Board of Nursing. The process generally includes:
- Degree verification: Official transcripts sent directly from a Board-approved master's, post-master's, or doctoral program, such as the DNP programs in South Carolina.
- National certification: Passing a specialty certification exam from an approved certifying body, typically referenced as ANCC or AANP depending on role, generally within one year of graduation (some psychiatric CNS pathways allow two years, and other Board guidance has cited a two-year window as well, so applicants should confirm current requirements directly with the Board).
- Application submission: Filed by mail or electronic upload, along with identity verification, a background check, and non-refundable fees.
- Collaborative practice agreement: A written agreement with a physician covering medical aspects of care and prescribing, with any change in practice setting or collaborating physician reported to the Board within 15 business days.
Prescriptive authority adds its own requirement: 45 contact hours in pharmacotherapeutics completed within the two years before applying.
Pass Rates and Program Transparency
Prospective students often want to compare certification exam pass rates across USC, MUSC, Clemson, and Charleston Southern's MSN offerings. At this time, none of these institutions publish detailed, program-specific pass rate data that we could verify, so treat any figures circulating online with caution and ask admissions staff directly for current outcomes.
A Different Path for Educators and Leaders
Graduates heading into nurse education or nursing leadership tracks skip APRN licensure entirely. Their credentialing runs through academic or organizational certifications rather than the Board's advanced practice pathway.
Frequently Asked Questions About MSN Programs in South Carolina
Choosing an MSN program involves many practical questions, from admission requirements to clinical logistics and funding. Below are straightforward answers to the questions South Carolina nursing students ask most often.
Can you get an MSN online with a non-nursing bachelor's degree in South Carolina?
What is the difference between RN-to-MSN and BSN-to-MSN programs?
How do online MSN students in South Carolina arrange clinical placements?
Are online MSN programs in South Carolina eligible for financial aid and scholarships?
What GPA do you need to get into an MSN program in South Carolina?
MSN by State
Southeast11
Northeast11
Midwest12
Southwest4
DC & Territories1
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