Best Political Science and Government Schools in South Carolina

South Carolina has 13 colleges offering Political Science and Government programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 578 recent graduates. Graduates in South Carolina earn $29,885 on average within two years — 13% below the national average of $34,409. Lower cost of living or industry mix may explain the gap.

13
Schools in SC
$29,885
SC Avg. Earnings
$34,409
National Avg.
631
Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Political Science and Government in South Carolina

Public Schools (9)
$31,079
avg. 2yr earnings
Private Schools (4)
$27,496
avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in South Carolina produce comparable or higher early earnings for Political Science and Government graduates, often at lower cost — making them strong value options.

Political Science and Government Schools in South Carolina, Ranked by Earnings

#1
Furman University logo

Furman University

Greenville, SC · Private

$36,668
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $36,108
Graduates: 39
Acceptance: 52.6%
#2
Wofford College logo

Wofford College

Spartanburg, SC · Private

$20,140
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $28,241
Graduates: 26
Acceptance: 58.6%
#3
Citadel Military College of South Carolina logo

Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Charleston, SC · Public

$37,856
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $38,924
Graduates: 71
Acceptance: 98.1%
#4
University of South Carolina-Columbia logo

University of South Carolina-Columbia

Columbia, SC · Public

$29,926
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $31,397
Graduates: 121
Acceptance: 61.5%
#5
Clemson University logo

Clemson University

Clemson, SC · Public

$39,099
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $38,210
Graduates: 69
Acceptance: 38.0%
#6
College of Charleston logo

College of Charleston

Charleston, SC · Public

$30,988
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $30,605
Graduates: 87
Acceptance: 72.0%
#7
Presbyterian College logo

Presbyterian College

Clinton, SC · Private

$24,035
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $21,479
Graduates: 21
Acceptance: 72.3%
#8
Coastal Carolina University logo

Coastal Carolina University

Conway, SC · Public

$34,704
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $29,976
Graduates: 59
Acceptance: 80.2%
#9
Lander University logo

Lander University

Greenwood, SC · Public

N/A
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $34,398
Graduates: 20
Acceptance: 67.9%
#10
University of South Carolina-Upstate logo

University of South Carolina-Upstate

Spartanburg, SC · Public

$28,236
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 69.6%
#11
Francis Marion University logo

Francis Marion University

Florence, SC · Public

$28,598
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $25,038
Graduates: 28
Acceptance: 82.2%
#12
Winthrop University logo

Winthrop University

Rock Hill, SC · Public

$19,227
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $26,207
Graduates: 37
Acceptance: 75.1%
#13
Claflin University logo

Claflin University

Orangeburg, SC · Private

$29,141
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 72.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Political Science and Government in South Carolina?
Furman University ranks #1 for Political Science and Government in South Carolina with median graduate earnings of $36,668 within two years of graduation. There are 13 schools offering Political Science and Government programs in the state.
How much do Political Science and Government graduates earn in South Carolina?
Political Science and Government graduates in South Carolina earn an average of $29,885 within two years of graduation. This is 13% below the national average of $34,409 for this major.
What is the hardest Political Science and Government school to get into in South Carolina?
Clemson University is the most selective Political Science and Government program in South Carolina with an acceptance rate of 38.0%. The average acceptance rate across Political Science and Government programs in the state is 69.3%.
Should I attend a public or private school for Political Science and Government in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, private Political Science and Government programs produce average earnings of $27,496 vs $31,079 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 9 public and 4 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in South Carolina

All colleges in South Carolina →

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.