Guide to the Best Online Nursing Schools in South Carolina
Thinking about a career as a nurse in South Carolina? This guide offers a look at the best nursing schools and programs, earnings potential, licensure requirements, and beyond.
Maybe you’re a high school senior and considering becoming an RN. Perhaps you’ve been licensed for a few years but want to earn a higher salary by getting your BSN degree. Or you’re a nurse who’s ready to make the jump to advanced practitioner or teaching roles. Whatever the case, there’s accredited traditional and online nursing programs in South Carolina to meet your education needs.
This guide takes a close look at some of the best nursing schools in South Carolina to help you begin your search for a quality, affordable program. We also offer important information on RN licensure requirements, nursing degree paths, earning potential, and how to find the best nursing school in SC for your needs. Keep reading to see which schools made it onto our list as the best options for prospective students like you to take the next step in their career.
University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina
Public
University of South Carolina-Upstate
Spartanburg, South Carolina
Public
Clemson University
Clemson, South Carolina
Public
Coastal Carolina University
Conway, South Carolina
Public
University of South Carolina Aiken
Aiken, South Carolina
Public
Lander University
Greenwood, South Carolina
Public
Claflin University
Orangeburg, South Carolina
Private
Newberry College
Newberry, South Carolina
Private
Types of Nursing Programs Available in South Carolina
Whether you’re just beginning your studies in nursing or you’ve got previous schooling and work experience, South Carolina nursing schools offer a program to meet your needs. Here’s an overview of some of the most common nursing degree options in South Carolina along with examples of schools offering them.
Pre-Licensure Nursing Programs in South Carolina
ADN Programs
A two-year ADN program gives you basic nursing and critical-thinking skills while preparing you for the NCLEX-RN. ADNs work in doctors’ offices, home healthcare roles, nursing homes, outpatient facilities, and more.
Examples of South Carolina Nursing Schools with this Program
Traditional BSN Programs
A BSN is open to anyone with a high school diploma or GED. BSNs usually take four years to complete and include general education along with in-depth nursing classes. BSN programs also prepare you for the NCLEX-RN exam.
Examples of South Carolina Nursing Schools with this Program
Accelerated BSN Programs
Accelerated BSN programs are for those who have bachelor’s degrees in outside fields but want to switch to nursing. With their applicable transfer credits, they can earn the BSN without repeating many general education classes. Expect to spend 12-24 months in a BSN program.
Examples of South Carolina Nursing Schools with this Program
Nursing Bridge Programs in South Carolina for Current Nurses
LPN to RN and LPN to BSN Programs
Current LPNs can take LPN to RN and LPN to BSN programs and build upon their existing knowledge and nursing skills while preparing for the NCLEX-RN. LPN to RN programs take two years to finish while an LPN to BSN takes 2-3 years.
Examples of South Carolina Nursing Schools with this Program
RN to BSN Programs
If you already have an ADN and RN licensure, an RN to BSN program will expand your nursing skills and critical-thinking abilities. Upon completion of this 1-2-year program, you’ll compete for nursing positions with higher pay and greater responsibility.
Examples of South Carolina Nursing Schools with this Program
RN to MSN Programs
If you have RN licensure and an ADN or BSN, you can apply to most RN to MSN programs and complete BSN and MSN coursework at the same time. These programs also develop skills in specialized areas, including family nurse practitioner or adult gerontology nurse practitioner. Expect to spend 2-3 years finishing an MSN.
Examples of South Carolina Nursing Schools with this Program
Advanced Nursing Programs in South Carolina
MSN Programs
Standard MSN tracks are for those who already have BSNs and RN licensure. These programs develop skills and prepare students for advanced nursing careers in a specialty area like nurse midwifery, nurse administrator, or nursing anesthesia.
Examples of South Carolina Nursing Schools with This Program
DNP and PhD Doctoral Programs
A DNP prepares you for nursing leadership roles and positions putting the latest nursing research into practice in healthcare facilities. A PhD is a research-focused degree that prepares you for roles in research institutions and at colleges and universities. DNP and PhD programs take 3-5 years.
Examples of South Carolina Nursing Schools with This Program
Post-Graduate Certificates
Post-graduate certificates further hone your skills in a particular area of the nursing field. Specializations include nursing leadership, mental health nurse practitioner, acute care nurse practitioner, or family nurse practitioner. Expect to spend 1-2 years completing a post-graduate nursing certificate.
Examples of South Carolina Nursing Schools with This Program
Understanding Online Nursing Programs in South Carolina
While enrolled in an online nursing program in South Carolina, you’ll complete your didactic coursework online and clinical training in person at an approved facility. Nursing schools in South Carolina often have partnerships with local hospitals and clinics, like Newberry College’s connection to Lexington Medical Center, for example, to help you complete practicum requirements with ease.
Online nursing schools in South Carolina still require the same amount of discipline and study time as in-person classes. Successful distance nursing students are organized self-starters who enjoy flexible schedules and complete work at their own pace. For distance learners who need structure, some South Carolina nursing schools offer synchronous classes with regularly scheduled virtual class meetings and collaborative assignments that more closely resemble traditional classroom instruction.
Financial Aid Opportunities for Nursing Students in South Carolina
There are many financial aid opportunities to help offset the cost of your nursing degree. Aside from internal financial awards individual schools offer, also search for local, state, and regional scholarships or grants and be sure to fill out your FAFSA every year to receive consideration for federal assistance, including scholarships and grants. Funding sources offering awards and scholarship opportunities within South Carolina include the South Carolina Nurses Foundation and the Carolina Children’s Home.
For more information on financial aid and savings opportunities for nursing students, check out our nursing scholarship list, guide to graduating from nursing school debt-free, and college financial aid guide.
How to Become an RN in South Carolina: Licensing Info and Requirements
Nursing students in South Carolina need to follow the licensure guidelines established by the South Carolina Board of Nursing. To help you understand these requirements, here’s a step-by-step guide to the RN licensure process in the state.
Complete a State-Approved RN Degree
Your first step is to complete a South Carolina-approved RN program that readies you for the NCLEX-RN. You’ll complete your state-approved program before taking the licensure exam.
Submit an Application for Licensure to the State
Submit a South Carolina application for licensure by examination before submitting your exam application. You’ll need a signed and dated 2×2″ photograph, a copy of your birth certificate or valid passport, and a copy of your social security card or permanent resident card. South Carolina also requires a certificate of endorsement sent directly from your nursing school and a $90 application fee.
Submit an NCLEX-RN Exam Application
All South Carolina licensure applicants must register with NCLEX by following the instructions in the candidate bulletin. The exam fee is $200. After completing the online registration steps, you’ll receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) email letting you know you can schedule the exam.
Pass the NCLEX-RN
The NCLEX-RN tests your knowledge in foundational areas and skills like safety and infection control, psychosocial integrity, health promotion and maintenance, and reduction of risk potential. This pass-fail, computer-administered exam allows up to six hours to complete the 75 to 265 questions.
Complete Continued Competence Requirements
After obtaining your RN licensure, you’ll need to renew it every two years by April 30th. The South Carolina Board of Nursing requires that you choose from one of four renewal options, including the completion of 30 contact hours from a board-recognized continuing education provider. Each renewal is $75.
Salary and Job Outlook for RNs in South Carolina
The registered nursing profession in South Carolina is projected to grow by 9.90% in the coming years, making it an opportune time to enroll in a degree program—whether you're entering the profession or pursuing an advanced degree to enhance your skills. This growth translates to 2,990 additional jobs being added to the field annually. Nationally, the profession is expected to grow by 5.60%, resulting in 193,100 new jobs. You might also be curious about potential earnings as a registered nurse after graduation. In South Carolina, salaries range from $60,780 to $98,980, with an average salary of $78,380. Salaries can vary depending on your location. In Columbia, RNs earn between $61,290 and $97,990, with an average salary of $78,470. In Sumter, the salary range is $61,500 to $97,220, with an average of $78,230. Refer to the tables below for more detailed data.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | $60,780 | $78,380 | $98,980 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $65,730 | $80,440 | $100,800 |
| Columbia, SC | $61,290 | $78,470 | $97,990 |
| Florence, SC | $60,110 | $78,020 | $160,050 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC | $59,280 | $76,500 | $96,610 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC | $57,120 | $76,490 | $85,700 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC | $58,110 | $79,770 | $91,190 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $65,150 | $76,470 | $94,160 |
| Sumter, SC | $61,500 | $78,230 | $97,220 |
Source: Registered Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 3,172,500 | 3,349,900 | 177,400 | 5.60% | 193,100 |
| South Carolina | 45,140 | 49,610 | 4,470 | 9.90% | 2,990 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
