South Carolina Nursing Programs

Top Nursing Schools in
South Carolina — 2026

Compare the best BSN, MSN, ADN, and RN programs in South Carolina. Tuition costs, NCLEX pass rates, accreditation, and unique program highlights for prospective nursing students.

7 programs listed BSN · ADN South Carolina Board of Nursing Nurse Licensure Compact member

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Nursing Programs in South Carolina

BSN · On-Campus
Medical University of South Carolina
BSN Program — Charleston

MUSC's College of Nursing is South Carolina's premier academic medical center nursing program. Students train at MUSC Health — South Carolina's only academic medical center and Level I trauma center.

$12,000/yearAvg Cost
4 yearsLength
94%NCLEX Pass
BSN · On-Campus
Clemson University
BSN Program — Clemson

Clemson's School of Nursing is one of South Carolina's fastest-growing programs, with clinical partnerships across the Upstate region including Prisma Health.

$13,000/yearAvg Cost
4 yearsLength
92%NCLEX Pass
BSN · On-Campus
Medical University of South Carolina
BSN Program — Charleston

Premier academic medical center nursing in South Carolina

$18,000/yrAvg Cost
4 yearsLength
93%NCLEX Pass
BSN · On-Campus
University of South Carolina
BSN – Traditional — Columbia

Flagship state university BSN with Prisma Health and MUSC clinical networks

$16,000/yrAvg Cost
4 yearsLength
91%NCLEX Pass
ADN · On-Campus
Midlands Technical College
ADN Program — Columbia

Central South Carolina ADN with Prisma Health and Lexington Medical partnerships

$7,200 totalAvg Cost
2 yearsLength
88%NCLEX Pass
ADN · On-Campus
Trident Technical College
ADN Program — North Charleston

Lowcountry ADN with MUSC and Roper St. Francis clinical placements

$7,000 totalAvg Cost
2 yearsLength
87%NCLEX Pass
BSN · On-Campus
Clemson University
BSN Program — Clemson

Major research university BSN with Upstate South Carolina clinical network

$18,000/yrAvg Cost
4 yearsLength
90%NCLEX Pass

About Nursing Programs in South Carolina

South Carolina's healthcare sector has expanded alongside steady population growth, anchored by Prisma Health — the state's largest system — and the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston, with strong demand in Greenville, Columbia, and the fast-growing coastal communities. The state is an attractive destination for both new graduates and relocating nurses.

Students can pursue affordable technical-college ADN programs, BSN degrees at public universities such as the University of South Carolina and Clemson along with private institutions, accelerated second-degree options, and RN-to-BSN bridges plus MSN tracks for advanced practice and leadership. The technical-college network makes RN licensure broadly accessible statewide.

Licensure is handled by the South Carolina Board of Nursing, under the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. South Carolina is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so an RN or LPN license issued to a South Carolina resident is a multistate license valid across all compact states — valuable in a Southeast region where most neighboring states also participate.

Licensing authority: South Carolina Board of Nursing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. South Carolina is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. If South Carolina is your primary state of residence, your RN or LPN license is a multistate license valid across all compact states.
Complete a South Carolina Board of Nursing-approved ADN or BSN program, pass the NCLEX-RN, and apply for licensure through the board under the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.
Greenville, Columbia, Charleston, and the rapidly growing coastal communities concentrate the most opportunity, with Prisma Health and MUSC among the largest employers.
Both qualify you for the NCLEX-RN. A technical-college ADN is an affordable entry point, while a BSN is preferred at larger and Magnet hospitals and for advancement.
About two years for an ADN and four for a BSN, with accelerated BSN options finishing in roughly 12 to 18 months for second-degree students.
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