The ADN-versus-BSN debate has not settled in South Carolina, where technical colleges and universities send graduates into the same hospitals.
Either way, no one can work as an RN in the state until passing the NCLEX-RN, so a school's first-time NCLEX pass rate is the clearest early signal of quality. The nursing schools in South Carolina here include 2- to 3-year ADN programs at technical colleges and 4-year BSN programs at universities. The nursing programs in South Carolina are ranked on NCLEX results, then weighed on cost, early earnings, faster pathways, admissions, licensure, and pay from Charleston to the Upstate.
A graduate who fails the first attempt waits to retest, and that means lost months of RN wages.
South Carolina Nursing Programs With the Strongest NCLEX-RN Results
Every program below earned its spot mainly on how its graduates perform on the NCLEX-RN the first time they sit for the exam. The list deliberately mixes associate-degree and bachelor's-degree pathways, because a strong first-attempt pass rate matters more to a brand new RN than the letters that follow the degree. Where the South Carolina Board of Nursing publishes a school-level first-time pass rate, it appears below with the reporting year.
How we ranked these
- School-wide graduation rate
- Retention and completion trends
- Nursing program accreditation
- First-attempt NCLEX-RN pass rates
- NCLEX cohort size
- Original research on individual programs
- NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
- Program-level NCLEX pass rates from the state boards of nursing — ncsbn.org
- In-house program catalog data
Williamsburg Technical College
#1Kingstree, SC · ~$10,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 100% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Rural students seeking a low-cost ADN
The Associate Degree in Nursing at Williamsburg Technical College in Kingstree runs over five consecutive semesters and 68 credit hours, combining nursing, science, and general education coursework with a simulation lab and supervised clinical experience in a range of care settings. It is a campus-based, Board of Nursing-approved ADN that keeps the in-state net price low for students in the Pee Dee region. The program reports a 100% licensure pass rate in 2024 among its graduates.
- Five consecutive semesters
- 68 total credit hours
- 100% licensure pass rate in 2024
- State-of-the-art simulation lab
- Clinical experience in multiple settings
- Prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN
- Financial aid available for eligible students
University of South Carolina
#2Columbia, SC · ~$23,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 98.3% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Midlands students wanting a research-intensive BSN
The University of South Carolina's College of Nursing in Columbia is the flagship BSN program in the Midlands, moving students from pre-nursing science and general education coursework into upper-division clinical hours, classroom instruction, and a patient simulation lab. The college has been building a statewide nursing-faculty pipeline and has announced clinical partnerships that include Prisma Health and South Carolina midwifery practices, and its Gamecock Gateway pathway lets Midlands Technical College students transfer in with access to university support services. Undergraduate research is supported by significant grant funding, with NIH support for the college ranked No. 28 nationally according to the program.
- CCNE accredited
- Prepares students for the NCLEX-RN
- Two NLN Center of Excellence designations
- State-of-the-art patient simulation lab
- $20 million in grant funding over five years
- NIH research funding ranked No. 28 nationally
- Gamecock Gateway transfer pathway with Midlands Technical College
- Clinical partnerships including Prisma Health
Anderson University
#3Anderson, SC · ~$24,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 98.9% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Faith-oriented students wanting a traditional BSN
Anderson University's traditional BSN is a campus-based, 123-credit program in the Upstate that blends classroom instruction with clinical rotations across South Carolina and hands-on training in a simulation center and cadaver lab. Rolling admissions with fall and spring start points make it easier to time an application, and faculty who maintain active clinical practice keep the coursework tied to current care. South Carolina Board of Nursing data show a 100% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2025 across 66 test takers.
- CCNE accredited
- 4-year, 123-credit program
- Rolling admissions
- Starts in fall and spring
- State-of-the-art simulation center
- Cadaver lab available
- I-20 approved for international students
- Christ-centered nursing education
Bob Jones University
#4Greenville, SC · ~$17,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 98.6% (3-yr weighted avg)
Bob Jones University's BSN in Greenville is a campus-based program with six semesters of clinical rotations at local hospitals, a senior capstone practicum, and a patient simulator lab. A fast-track option compresses the degree into roughly three to three and a half years for students who qualify, and a public health nursing concentration adds a community-health focus. Board of Nursing data show a 100% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2025 across 28 test takers.
- CCNE accredited
- Six semesters of clinical experience
- SimMan patient simulator lab
- BSN Fast-Track in 3 to 3.5 years
- TEAS entrance exam required
- 2.8 GPA minimum
- Starts in fall and spring
- Short-term medical mission trips
- Public Health Nursing concentration
- Approved by the SC Board of Nursing
- Three-year clinical program
- Six-week capstone practicum
- Medical mission trip opportunities
- University Nursing Association student organization
Lander University
#5Greenwood, SC · $15,000/yr (est. net price) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 98.2% (3-yr weighted avg)
Lander University's School of Nursing in Greenwood offers a campus-based BSN accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, built around holistic care, leadership, and research rather than clinical technique alone. Students get hands-on clinical experience and direct access to faculty expertise, and the curriculum is designed to support both immediate practice and later graduate study.
- CCNE accredited
- Campus-based program in Greenwood
- Emphasis on holistic care
- Leadership training built into the curriculum
- Research opportunities for undergraduates
- Clinical experiences provided
- Supports progression to graduate study
Clemson University
#6Clemson, SC · $20,000 – $25,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 96.4% (3-yr weighted avg)
Clemson University's BSN is an eight-semester, direct-admit program that puts students in nursing coursework from the first semester, with high-fidelity simulation labs and clinical partnerships across Upstate hospitals at an 8:1 clinical student-to-faculty ratio. Honors work and undergraduate research projects are available, and the program reports 95-100% graduate satisfaction. Clemson posted a 97.18% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2025 across 213 test takers, per Board of Nursing data.
- 8-semester direct-admit program
- CCNE accredited
- High-tech simulation labs
- Clinical partnerships with Upstate hospitals
- 8:1 student-to-faculty clinical ratio
- Honors program and undergraduate research
- 95-100% graduate satisfaction reported
- Scholarships and financial aid available
Medical University of South Carolina
#7Charleston, SC · NCLEX-RN pass rate 96% (3-yr weighted avg)
The Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston runs two bachelor's routes: an accelerated, four-semester BSN for career changers who already hold a degree, and an RN-to-BSN completion program for working nurses. The accelerated track packs 61 credits into a full-time, cohort-based schedule with clinical rotations inside MUSC's 700-bed medical center, while the RN-to-BSN option is largely asynchronous online with in-person practicums. The College of Nursing also stays active in research and workforce-development work across the state.
- 4-semester, 61-credit full-time program
- Clinical rotations at the 700-bed MUSC medical center
- High-fidelity simulation labs
- $31,244 total program tuition
- 3.0 GPA minimum, 3 letters of recommendation
- Built for career changers who already hold a degree
- Priority admission consideration with a 3.5 GPA
- $50 application fee
- Fully online asynchronous option available
- 35 credits over three semesters
- $481 per credit
- 2.5 GPA minimum to apply
- Cohort-based structure for working RNs
- In-person clinical practicums in gerontology and community health
- 30 credits awarded for RN competency
- Approved for online study in SARA states
Spartanburg Community College
#8Spartanburg, SC · ~$2,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 97.9% (3-yr weighted avg)
Spartanburg Community College's associate degree in nursing is a campus-based ADN accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, teaching holistic care and the nursing process across the lifespan. The program reports a 98.08% NCLEX pass rate for 2024 and sends graduates into hospitals, clinics, and community health agencies across the Upstate. It is a lower-cost starting point for students who want to begin earning as an RN before deciding on a BSN.
- ACEN accredited
- Reported 98% licensure pass rate
- Campus-based program in Spartanburg
- Focus on holistic nursing care
- Prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN
- Pathway into hospitals, clinics, and community health agencies
Tri-County Technical College
#9Pendleton, SC · $10,000 – $15,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 97.1% (3-yr weighted avg)
Tri-County Technical College's associate degree in nursing at the Pendleton campus mixes classroom instruction with clinical experience in hospitals and long-term care settings, covering patient assessment, immediate treatment, care coordination, and long-term condition management. Entry to the clinical portion is competitive, with a 2.5 GPA minimum and TEAS scores required, and the program keeps a dedicated LPN to ADN transition track for practicing practical nurses. Advisors strongly encourage CNA training first, since it can strengthen an application.
- ACEN continuing accreditation status
- TEAS entrance exam required
- 2.5 GPA minimum
- Competitive entry to the clinical portion
- CNA training strongly encouraged before applying
- LPN to ADN transition track
- Fall applications open May 15-31
- Spring applications open Sept 15-30
Trident Technical College
#10Charleston, SC · $5,000 – $9,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 97.1% (3-yr weighted avg)
Trident Technical College's Associate in Applied Science in Nursing gives Charleston-area students a community college route to RN licensure, delivered on campus with classroom and clinical coursework. Tuition and net price run well below four-year BSN options, which makes it a practical first step for students who plan to work while completing a bachelor's degree later. Admission cycles and cohort details are best confirmed in the current college catalog.
- Campus-based program
What Earns a Spot on This List: Pass Rates, Approval, and Accreditation
Why a Multi-Year Pass Rate Tells You More
A single year of NCLEX-RN results can be misleading, especially at smaller programs. When a cohort has only 20 or 30 test takers, two or three unsuccessful candidates can swing the reported rate by ten points, and a strong program can look shaky after one unusual year. Averaging three years of results, and weighting each year by how many graduates actually sat for the exam, gives a steadier picture. Big cohorts count proportionally more than tiny ones, temporary dips get absorbed, and what remains is closer to how a program really performs year after year. When you compare schools on your own, follow How to Read NCLEX-RN Pass Rate Data When Evaluating Nursing Schools and look at the trend across several years rather than the most recent headline number.
Board Approval Is Not the Same as Accreditation
The South Carolina Board of Nursing, housed under the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, approves every RN program whose graduates can sit for the NCLEX. It uses three categories. Full approval means the program is in continued compliance. Initial approval applies to a newly established program and holds until its first graduating class produces NCLEX results and the Board completes a survey; Arizona College of Nursing in Greenville carries that status, while ECPI University in Columbia moved from initial to full approval in early 2026. Conditional approval means the Board has identified deficiencies or attached required corrective action. The Citadel currently holds conditional approval. Conditional status is not a reason to panic, but it is a reason to ask the program directly what is being corrected and on what timeline.
ACEN, CCNE, and Your Own Verification
National accreditation is separate. ACEN commonly accredits associate degree programs such as Aiken Technical College, while ccne accreditation is the usual choice for university BSN programs including Clemson, Anderson University, and the University of South Carolina. Either is legitimate, but nursing program accreditation CCNE ACEN matters later: graduate schools, many hospital employers, and military and federal nursing jobs expect it. Before you apply anywhere, check the program's approval status on the LLR Board of Nursing site and confirm its listing in the ACEN or CCNE directory. Both checks take minutes.
Two-Year ADN or Four-Year BSN? Comparing South Carolina's RN Pathways
Both routes lead to the same NCLEX-RN exam and the same RN license, but they differ in time, cost, and how far the credential carries you. Most 2 year nursing programs in South Carolina run through the SC Technical College System, and once prerequisites are added, many take longer than two years. The statewide articulation agreement makes starting with an ADN and finishing a BSN later a realistic, well-supported plan.
| Factor | ADN (SC Technical College System) | BSN (Four-Year University) |
|---|---|---|
| Program length | Advertised as about two years. Piedmont Technical College runs four nursing semesters, and Technical College of the Lowcountry lists five full-time semesters. Prerequisites and once-a-year course sequencing, as at Central Carolina Technical College, often push the total past two years. | Typically four years of full-time study, including general education and upper-division nursing courses. |
| Credits required | Roughly 65 to 68 credit hours (65 at Piedmont Technical College, 68 at Technical College of the Lowcountry). | Typically around 120 credit hours. |
| Typical cost level | Lower overall, thanks to technical college tuition and fewer total credits. | Higher overall because of university tuition and twice as many semesters. |
| Where offered | Technical colleges statewide, including Aiken, Greenville, Midlands, Trident, Piedmont, Tri-County, York, and Horry-Georgetown. | Public and private universities across the state. |
| Admission | Competitive. Piedmont Technical College requires a 3.0 GPA, C or better in prerequisites such as BIO 210 and BIO 211, and at least 65% on math and reading entrance exam sections. Trident Technical College requires a background check before starting. | Competitive, usually with a separate application to progress into upper-division nursing courses. |
| NCLEX-RN eligibility | Graduates of approved programs are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN. | Graduates of approved programs are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN. |
| Employer and Magnet preference | Strong demand for bedside roles, though Magnet-designated and larger hospital systems often prefer BSN-prepared nurses or expect a BSN within a set time. | Preferred by Magnet hospitals and required for many leadership, public health, and graduate-school paths. |
| Bridge and transfer options | Licensed graduates of accredited SC public ADN programs who have passed the NCLEX receive at least 60 transfer credits at any SC public university's RN-to-BSN program, with no mobility exams. Greenville Technical College also has partner pathways with Clemson, Lander, USC Aiken, USC Upstate, Anderson, and others. | Already the bachelor's credential, and the standard foundation for MSN and nurse practitioner programs. |
| Best fit | Students who want to work as an RN sooner at lower cost and plan to bridge to a BSN while employed. | Students who can commit four years and are aiming for Magnet hospitals, leadership, or graduate study. |
South Carolina by City
Explore other South Carolina related topics
Where Nursing School Costs the Least in SC, and What Graduates Owe
The lowest-cost options here are all public technical colleges offering the ADN, with average annual net prices from about $1,400 to $4,200. That is generally well below what private and four-year schools charge after aid. Net price is an institution-wide average for aided students, drawn from 2024 IPEDS and College Scorecard data, so your actual cost will depend on your aid package, residency, and enrollment status. Program-level debt and estimated monthly payments on a 10-year plan are not yet available for these nursing programs. The debt column shows the median for all graduates at each college, not for nursing graduates specifically.
| School | City | Program | NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (3-Year) | In-State Tuition and Fees (Institution) | Average Annual Net Price After Aid | Median Federal Debt, All Programs (Institution-Wide) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trident Technical College | Charleston | Associate in Applied Science in Nursing (ADN) | 97.1% | $4,546 | $1,406 | $13,029 |
| Spartanburg Community College | Spartanburg | Nursing (ADN), AAS | 97.9% | $5,071 | $2,405 | $6,500 |
| Horry-Georgetown Technical College | Conway | Nursing - ADN | 95.5% | $4,468 | $4,159 | $14,250 |
What Registered Nurses Earn Across South Carolina
Half of South Carolina's RNs earn more than this figure, and half earn less.
Quick Answers for Prospective SC Nursing Students
These short answers cover the questions we hear most often from future nursing students weighing programs in South Carolina. Use them alongside the ranking and the pathway comparison above to narrow your list.
Which South Carolina nursing programs post the highest NCLEX-RN pass rates?
How long does it take to become an RN in South Carolina?
Is a nursing school in South Carolina still worth considering if it only has initial Board approval?
Faster Routes: Accelerated BSN and RN-to-BSN Programs in SC
Two different fast tracks exist in South Carolina, and the right one depends on where you're starting. Career changers with a prior bachelor's degree can compress nursing coursework into an accelerated BSN (ABSN), while working RNs with an associate degree can finish a bachelor's online through RN to BSN programs.
Accelerated BSN for Degree Holders
Several SC universities run ABSN tracks for students with a prior bachelor's in another field. MUSC offers a 61-credit program of roughly 16 months, with the 2026 application deadline around September 1. Clemson runs a 16-month in-person track, Charleston Southern delivers an 18-month, 67-credit program asynchronously online with a March 1 deadline, and Anderson condenses its path into about 15 months starting in August.
Prerequisites follow a common pattern across the state: anatomy and physiology I and II, microbiology, chemistry, statistics, and psychology, usually completed before admission with a minimum grade of C. Most programs prefer a cumulative GPA near 3.0, though Clemson lists a competitive 3.2 and Anderson looks at your last 59 credits plus science coursework. Anderson also requires the TEAS exam. Clinical placements happen at South Carolina hospitals and health systems, so plan to be in-state for hands-on rotations.
RN-to-BSN for Working Nurses
If you already hold a license, RN-to-BSN programs let you build on your ADN credits. USC's online track runs five semesters with Fall entry and a 3.0 GPA requirement. MUSC offers a 35-credit, three-semester asynchronous option with a 2.5 preferred GPA. USC Aiken finishes in 12 to 18 months, the College of Charleston runs fully online, and USC Upstate accepts starts across the calendar. Accredited associate credits transfer in, letting you focus on upper-division nursing courses.
A Realistic Caution
ABSN programs are intense and full-time by design. The compressed schedule, weekday labs, and clinical hours make holding a job during the program genuinely difficult. RN-to-BSN tracks, by contrast, are built for nurses who keep working while they study.
What SC Nursing Programs Look for in Applicants
Every South Carolina nursing program sets its own rules, but most applications are judged on the same core elements. Use this checklist as a starting point, then confirm details with each school.
- Entrance examThe ATI TEAS is the most widely used exam, and some programs accept the HESI A2. There is no single statewide cutoff. Competitive applicants generally score at or above the 60th percentile for ADN programs and the 70th percentile for four-year BSN programs.
- GPAPublished minimums typically fall between 2.5 and 3.0, but meeting the minimum rarely earns a seat. USC's competitive progression GPAs have historically ranged from 3.6 to 3.8. College of Charleston pre-nursing advising recommends an overall and science GPA around 3.5.
- Science prerequisitesExpect Anatomy and Physiology I and II with labs, Microbiology with lab, and General Biology or Chemistry. Programs also commonly require English Composition, Psychology or Life-Span Development, and Math or Statistics. Grades of C or better are typical, and science courses often must be completed within the last 5 to 7 years.
- CNA certificationA statewide CNA requirement could not be confirmed. Check each program's admissions page.
- Upper-division entryAt USC Columbia, being admitted as a freshman does not guarantee entry into the nursing major. Students finish pre-nursing coursework first, then compete on progression GPA and an interview. A 3.0 meets eligibility but does not guarantee admission.
- TransfersUSC generally does not admit transfer students directly into upper-division nursing, outside of limited pathways. Its transfer standards also differ from its progression minimums. College of Charleston students typically complete at least 60 semester hours before applying to MUSC.
- Background check and drug screenPlan to clear a criminal background check and drug screen before clinical placements begin.
South Carolina RN Licensing at a Glance
RN Pay in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, and Other SC Metros
Metro-level registered nurse wage estimates for Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, and other South Carolina metros are not available in the data we draw from, so the table below shows statewide figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (2025) and does not rank metros or show a city-to-city pay gap. These are wages for all working nurses in each occupation, not the earnings of recent graduates of specific programs shown earlier. Demand is strong: about 3,060 RN openings a year are projected in South Carolina from 2024 to 2034 with 8% employment growth, and a state workforce analysis of federal projections estimated a 2025 shortfall of roughly 5,520 full-time-equivalent RNs (a model-based estimate, not a count of vacant jobs).
| Occupation | Area | Employment | 25th Percentile Annual Wage | Median Annual Wage | Mean Annual Wage | 75th Percentile Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | South Carolina (statewide) | 49,750 | $77,320 | $82,360 | $87,670 | $97,230 |
| Nurse Practitioners | South Carolina (statewide) | 5,670 | $107,930 | $123,290 | $124,170 | $132,220 |
| Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary | South Carolina (statewide) | 1,150 | $65,370 | $79,540 | $88,730 | $99,410 |
More RN Programs Across South Carolina
The programs ranked above are only part of the picture in South Carolina. This directory gathers additional RN programs from the Upstate, Lowcountry, Midlands, Pee Dee, and Aiken areas so you can compare locations, degree levels, and formats side by side. Entries appear in no particular order and are not ranked.
Upstate
- Associate Degree Nursing Program
- Nursing Associate in Applied Science
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Nursing, A.A.S.
Lowcountry and Charleston
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- NURSING (ADN): ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE
Midlands and Columbia
- Registered Nurse (ADN)
- Major in Nursing (ADN)
- Associate Degree in Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Pee Dee and the Grand Strand
- Nursing - ADN
- BSN (Pre-licensure)
Aiken Area
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Associate of Applied Science in Nursing