Best colleges for Chemistry in South Carolina
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of South Carolina-Columbia, Clemson University and Furman University award the most Chemistry degrees and certificates in South Carolina: 48, 47 and 30 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 22 South Carolina colleges offer Chemistry and award 245 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Chemistry program focuses on the scientific study of matter, including its composition, structure, properties, and behavior. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding the fundamental aspects of chemical reactions…
Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | College of Charleston Charleston Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,208 | 29 | 66% | — | $27,000 |
| 2 | University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,018 | 48 | 79% | — | $25,046 |
Colleges awarding the most Chemistry degrees in South Carolina
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia Public | 48 | $39,018 |
| 2 | Clemson University Clemson Public | 47 | Not reported |
| 3 | Furman University Greenville Private not-for-profit | 30 | Not reported |
| 4 | College of Charleston Charleston Public | 29 | $39,208 |
| 5 | Winthrop University Rock Hill Public | 16 | Not reported |
| 6 | Citadel Military College of South Carolina Charleston Public | 12 | Not reported |
| 7 | Wofford College Spartanburg Private not-for-profit | 10 | Not reported |
| 8 | Lander University Greenwood Public | 9 | Not reported |
| 9 | University of South Carolina-Upstate Spartanburg Public | 7 | Not reported |
| 10 | Francis Marion University Florence Public | 5 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 12 South Carolina colleges offering Chemistry
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presbyterian College | Clinton | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Claflin University | Orangeburg | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Erskine College | Due West | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| University of South Carolina Aiken | Aiken | Public | 4 |
| South Carolina State University | Orangeburg | Public | 3 |
| Charleston Southern University | Charleston | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Bob Jones University | Greenville | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Southern Wesleyan University | Central | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Converse University | Spartanburg | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Coastal Carolina University | Conway | Public | 2 |
| Benedict College | Columbia | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Columbia College | Columbia | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Chemists (SOC 19-2031).
Top skills
What Chemists earn in South Carolina
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Chemistry programs in South Carolina.
Which South Carolina colleges award the most Chemistry degrees?+
University of South Carolina-Columbia (48 graduates a year), Clemson University (47 graduates a year) and Furman University (30 graduates a year) award the most Chemistry degrees and certificates in South Carolina, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 22 South Carolina colleges offer Chemistry.
Which Chemistry program in South Carolina has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, College of Charleston tops the list at $39,208. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Chemists earn in South Carolina?+
The average annual wage for Chemists in South Carolina is $90,130 (median $79,670), across about 770 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Chemistry program?+
The Chemistry program focuses on the scientific study of matter, including its composition, structure, properties, and behavior. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding the fundamental aspects of chemical reactions…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop science, reading comprehension, critical thinking, speaking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Chemists?+
The national job outlook is about +4.9% growth with around 6,300 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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