Best Online/Distance Learning Colleges & Programs in South Carolina 2023

Last Updated on August 7, 2023 by Sidharth PS

Hi readers! In this post, I’ve compiled a list of best distance learning colleges, universities, and institutes in South Carolina. Here, readers will find the following details – rankings, list of distance education colleges, their address, type of institute, fees/cost, degrees and awards, distance learning majors/degrees and more.

Best Online/Distance Learning Colleges in South Carolina for 2022

Rank

College

Fees/Cost

Type of Institute

Degrees & Awards

Address

1 Trident Technical College $2,559 2-year, Public Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree 7000 Rivers Avenue, Charleston, South Carolina 29423-8067
2 Aiken Technical College $3,525 2-year, Public Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree 2276 Jefferson Davis Highway, Graniteville, South Carolina 29829
3 Spartanburg Community College $3,965 2-year, Public Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree 107 Community College Drive, Spartanburg, South Carolina 29303
4 Central Carolina Technical College $5,366 2-year, Public Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree 506 N Guignard Dr, Sumter, South Carolina 29150-2499
5 Horry-Georgetown Technical College $5,587 2-year, Public Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree 2050 Highway 501 East, Conway, South Carolina 29526
6 Midlands Technical College $5,864 2-year, Public Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree 1260 Lexington Drive, West Columbia, South Carolina 29170-2176
7 Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College $6,438 2-year, Public Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree 3250 Saint Matthews Rd, Orangeburg, South Carolina 29118-8299
8 Greenville Technical College $6,992 4-year, primarily associate’s, Public Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree 506 S Pleasantburg Dr, Greenville, South Carolina 29606
9 Technical College of the Lowcountry $8,246 2-year, Public Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree 921 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, South Carolina 29901-1288
10 Williamsburg Technical College $8,971 2-year, Public Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree 601 Martin Luther King Jr Ave, Kingstree, South Carolina 29556-4197
11 Tri-County Technical College $8,995 2-year, Public Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree 7900 U.S. Hwy 76, Pendleton, South Carolina 29670
12 Piedmont Technical College $9,126 2-year, Public Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree 620 North Emerald Road, Greenwood, South Carolina 29646
13 Spartanburg Methodist College $12,672 4-year, primarily associate’s, Private not-for-profit Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree 1000 Powell Mill Road, Spartanburg, South Carolina 29301-5899
14 Francis Marion University $12,973 4-year, Public Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate|Doctor’s degree – professional practice 4822 East Palmetto Street, Florence, South Carolina 29506
15 Lander University $13,009 4-year, Public Less than one year certificate|Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree 320 Stanley Avenue, Greenwood, South Carolina 29649-2099
16 Bob Jones University $14,570 4-year, Private not-for-profit One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship|Doctor’s degree – professional practice 1700 Wade Hampton Boulavard, Greenville, South Carolina 29614-0001
17 Converse College $14,849 4-year, Private not-for-profit Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship 580 E Main St, Spartanburg, South Carolina 29302-0006
18 Coker University $15,037 4-year, Private not-for-profit Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree 300 E College Ave, Hartsville, South Carolina 29550
19 University of South Carolina Aiken $15,042 4-year, Public Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree 471 University Pkwy, Aiken, South Carolina 29801
20 Coastal Carolina University $15,111 4-year, Public Less than one year certificate|Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship 103 Tom Trout Drive, Conway, South Carolina 29526
21 University of South Carolina-Upstate $15,838 4-year, Public Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree 800 University Way, Spartanburg, South Carolina 29303-4999
22 Voorhees College $16,542 4-year, Private not-for-profit Less than one year certificate|Bachelor’s degree 481 Porter Drive, Denmark, South Carolina 29042
23 University of South Carolina Beaufort $16,807 4-year, Public Less than one year certificate|Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree 1 University Boulevard, Bluffton, South Carolina 29909
24 Citadel Military College of South Carolina $17,723 4-year, Public Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate 171 Moultrie St, Charleston, South Carolina 29409
25 Charleston Southern University $17,866 4-year, Private not-for-profit Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate|Doctor’s degree – professional practice 9200 University Blvd, Charleston, South Carolina 29406-9121
26 Southern Wesleyan University $17,978 4-year, Private not-for-profit Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship 907 Wesleyan Drive, Central, South Carolina 29630-1020
27 Claflin University $18,136 4-year, Private not-for-profit Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree 400 Magnolia Street, Orangeburg, South Carolina 29115-4498
28 Columbia International University $18,242 4-year, Private not-for-profit Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship 7435 Monticello Rd, Columbia, South Carolina 29203-1513
29 Columbia College $18,359 4-year, Private not-for-profit Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree 1301 Columbia College Dr, Columbia, South Carolina 29203
30 Winthrop University $19,115 4-year, Public Less than one year certificate|Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate 701 Oakland Ave, Rock Hill, South Carolina 29733
31 North Greenville University $19,124 4-year, Private not-for-profit Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship 7801 N. Tigerville Road, Tigerville, South Carolina 29688-1892
32 Newberry College $19,623 4-year, Private not-for-profit Bachelor’s degree 2100 College St, Newberry, South Carolina 29108
33 College of Charleston $19,764 4-year, Public Less than one year certificate|Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate 66 George St, Charleston, South Carolina 29424-0001
34 South Carolina State University $20,007 4-year, Public Less than one year certificate|Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship 300 College St NE, Orangeburg, South Carolina 29117-0001
35 Clemson University $21,482 4-year, Public Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship 201 Sikes Hall, Clemson, South Carolina 29634
36 Strayer University-South Carolina $21,546 4-year, Private for-profit Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree 777 Lowndes Hill Road, Greenville, South Carolina 29607
37 Anderson University $21,599 4-year, Private not-for-profit Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate|Doctor’s degree – professional practice|Doctor’s degree – other 316 Boulevard, Anderson, South Carolina 29621-4035
38 University of South Carolina-Columbia $21,787 4-year, Public Less than one year certificate|Associate’s degree|Two but less than 4 years certificate|Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship|Doctor’s degree – professional practice Columbia-Campus, Columbia, South Carolina 29208
39 Limestone University $23,023 4-year, Private not-for-profit Associate’s degree|Bachelor’s degree|Master’s degree 1115 College Drive, Gaffney, South Carolina 29340-3799
40 Platt College-Miller-Motte Technical-Conway $23,403 2-year, Private for-profit Less than one year certificate|One but less than two years certificate|Associate’s degree 2451 East Highway 501, Conway, South Carolina 29526-9508
41 Medical University of South Carolina NA 4-year, Public Bachelor’s degree|Postbaccalaureate certificate|Master’s degree|Post-master’s certificate|Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship|Doctor’s degree – professional practice 179 Ashley Ave, Charleston, South Carolina 29425

For ranking colleges, we have used the ‘affordability’ factor. With each passing year, cost of higher-education is rising. Keeping this fact in mind, we have decided to rank institutes on the basis of cost/expenses and affordability.

Best Online/Distance Learning Programs & Majors

Here are some popular distance learning programs/majors –

    • Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services
    • Agricultural and Food Products Processing
    • Agricultural Business and Management
    • Agricultural Mechanization
    • Agricultural Production Operations
    • Agricultural Public Services
    • Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences, Other
    • Agriculture, General
    • Animal Sciences
    • Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services
    • Food Science and Technology
    • International Agriculture
    • Plant Sciences
    • Soil Sciences
  1. Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies

    • Area Studies
    • Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
  2. Biological and Biomedical Sciences

    • Accounting and Related Services
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations
    • Business Operations Support and Assistant Services
    • Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
    • Business/Commerce, General
    • Business/Corporate Communications
    • Business/Managerial Economics
    • Construction Management
    • Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
    • Finance and Financial Management Services
    • General Sales, Merchandising, and Related Marketing Operations
    • Hospitality Administration/Management
    • Human Resources Management and Services
    • Insurance
    • International Business
    • Management Information Systems and Services
    • Management Sciences and Quantitative Methocs
    • Marketing
    • Real Estate
    • Specialized Sales, Merchandising, and Marketing Operations
    • Taxation
    • Telecommunications Management
  3. Communication Technologies/Technicians and Support Services

    • Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians
    • Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services, Other
    • Communications Technology/Technician
    • Graphic Communications
    • Communication and Media Studies
    • Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other
    • Journalism
    • Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
    • Publishing
    • Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
  4. Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

    • Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other
    • Computer and Information Sciences, General
    • Computer Programming
    • Computer Science
    • Computer Software and Media Applications
    • Computer Systems Analysis
    • Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications
    • Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
    • Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications
    • Data Processing
    • Information Science/Studies
  5. Construction Trades

    • Construction Trades, General
    • Construction Trades, Other
  6. Education

    • Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education
    • Curriculum and Instruction
    • Education, General
    • Education, Other
    • Educational Administration and Supervision
    • Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research
    • Educational/Instructional Media Design
    • International and Comparative Education
    • Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education
    • Special Education and Teaching
    • Student Counseling and Personnel Services
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
    • Teaching Assistants/Aides
    • Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language
  7. Engineering

    • Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical Engineering
    • Agricultural Engineering
    • Architectural Engineering
    • Biochemical Engineering
    • Biological/Biosystems Engineering
    • Biomedical/Medical Engineering
    • Cermic Sciences and Engineering
    • Chemical Engineering
    • Civil Engineering
    • Computer Engineering
    • Construction Engineering
    • Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
    • Electromechanical Engineering
    • Engineering Chemistry
    • Engineering Mechanics
    • Engineering Physics
    • Engineering Science
    • Engineering, General
    • Engineering, Other
    • Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
    • Forest Engineering
    • Geological Engineering
    • Industrial Engineering
    • Manufacturing Engineering
    • Materials Engineering
    • Mechanical Engineering
    • Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering
    • Metallurgical Engineering
    • Mining and Mineral Engineering
    • Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
    • Nuclear Engineering
    • Ocean Engineering
    • Operations Research
    • Paper Science and Engineering
    • Petroleum Engineering
    • Plastics Engineering
    • Surveying Engineering
    • Systems Engineering
    • Textile Sciences and Engineering
    • Architecture Engineering Technicians
    • Civil Engineering Technicians
    • Computer Engineering Technicians
    • Construction Engineering Technologies
    • Drafting Engineering Technicians
    • Electrical Engineering Technicians
    • Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technicians
    • Engineering Technicians, Other
    • Engineering Technology, General
    • Engineering-Related Fields
    • Engineering-Related Technologies
    • Environmental Control Technicians
    • Industrial Production Technicians
    • Mechanical Engineering Related Technicians
    • Mining and Petroleum Technicians
    • Nanotechnology
    • Nuclear Engineering Technicians
    • Quality Control and Safety Technicians
  8. English Language and Literature/Letters

    • English Language and Literature, General
    • English Language and Literature/Letters, Other
    • Literature
    • Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
  9. Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences

    • Apparel and Textiles
    • Family and Consumer Electronics Related Studies
    • Family and Consumer Sciences Business Services
    • Family and Consumer Sciences, General
    • Family and Consumer Sciences, Other
    • Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services
    • Housing and Human Environments
    • Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
    • Work and Family Studies
  10. Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

    • African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
    • Native American Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
    • American Sign Language
    • Celtic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
    • Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
    • East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
    • Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other
    • Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
    • Persian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
    • Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
    • Middle Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
    • Modern Greek Language and Literature
    • Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
    • Slavic, Baltic, and Albanian Languages, Literature, and Linguistics
    • South Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
    • Southeast Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
    • Turkic, Uralic-Altaic, Caucasian, and Central Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
  11. History

    • Law
    • Legal Professions and Studies, Other
    • Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies
    • Legal Support Services
    • Non-Professional General Legal Studies (UG)
  12. Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies, and Humanities

  13. Library Science

  14. Mathematics and Statistics

    • Applied Mathematics
    • Mathematics
    • Mathematics and Statistics, Other
    • Statistics
  15. Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians

  16. Military Technologies and Applied Sciences

  17. Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

  18. Natural Resources and Conservation

    • Fishing and Fisheries Sciences Management
    • Forestry
    • Natural Resources and Conservation
    • Natural Resources and Conservation and Research
    • Natural Resources Management and Policy
    • Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management
  19. Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies

    • Health and Physical Education/Fitness
    • Outdoor Education
    • Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management
    • Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies
    • Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies, Other
  20. Personal and Culinary Services

    • Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services
    • Culinary Arts and Related Services
    • Funeral Service and Mortuary Science
    • Personal and Culinary Services, Other
  21. Philosophy and Religious Studies

    • Philosophy
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies, General
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other
    • Religion/Religious Studies
  22. Physical Sciences

    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
    • Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology
    • Chemistry
    • Geosciences
    • Materials Sciences
    • Physical Sciences
    • Physical Sciences, Other
    • Physics
  23. Precision Production

  24. Psychology

    • Psychology, General
    • Psychology, Other
  25. Public Administration and Social Service Professions

    • Community Organization and Advocacy
    • Human Services, General
    • Public Administration
    • Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other
    • Public Policy Analysis
    • Social Work
  26. Science Technologies/Technicians

  27. Social Sciences

    • Demography and Population Studies
    • Economics
    • Geography and Cartography
    • International Relations and National Security Studies
    • Political Science and Government
    • Rural Sociology
    • Social Sciences, General
    • Social Sciences, Other
    • Sociology
    • Sociology and Anthropology
    • Urban Studies/Affairs
  28. Theology and Religious Vocations

    • Bible/Biblical Studies
    • Missionary Studies
    • Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries
    • Religious Education
    • Religious Music
    • Theological and Ministerial Studies
    • Theology and Religious Vocations, Other
  29. Transportation and Materials Moving

    • Transportation and Materials Moving, Other
  30. Visual and Performing Arts

    • Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management
    • Design and Applied Arts
    • Fine and Studio Arts
    • Visual and Performing Arts, General
    • Visual and Performing Arts, Other

Come, let us take a close look at the admission process and requirements –

Admission Requirements

While evaluating candidates who’ve applied for admission, colleges take the following factors into consideration –

  • Secondary school GPA
  • Secondary school rank
  • Secondary school record
  • Completion of college-preparatory program
  • Formal demonstration of competencies
  • ACT/SAT test scores
  • TOEFL
  • Other relevant tests

The factors mentioned above are divided into the following groups – Admission considerations that are ‘Required/Mandatory’, admission considerations that are ‘Recommended’ and admission requirements that are ‘Considered but not required’.   Admission requirements may vary from one college to another. Most of the colleges rely on secondary school GPA, secondary school record, ACT/SAT scores and TOEFL (as mandatory considerations). Community colleges usually have an open admission policy.

Online/Distance Education Degrees

Depending upon the level of the program, Degrees or Awards can be classified into the following types –

  • Certificates
  • Associate’s Degree
  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • Advanced Degrees

Certificates

  • Less than one year certificate: The duration of the program is less than one year.
  • One but less than two years certificate: The duration of the course is 1 year (or more, but less than 2 years).

Associate’s Degree

Associate’s Degree program is two years long. After completing this program, you’ll obtain an Associate’s Degree from the college/university/accrediting body.

Bachelor’s Degree

Bachelor’s Degree program is four years long. After completing this program, you’ll obtain an Associate’s Degree from the college/university/accrediting body.

Advanced Degrees

Here are some of the popular advanced degrees –

  • Master’s Degree
  • Doctor’s Degree
  • Post-master’s certificate
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