Best colleges for Physics in South Carolina
Ranked by graduates a year
Clemson University, University of South Carolina-Columbia and Furman University award the most Physics degrees and certificates in South Carolina: 34, 17 and 11 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 12 South Carolina colleges offer Physics and award 84 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Physics program focuses on the study of matter, energy, and the fundamental forces of nature. It encompasses various specializations, including Atomic/Molecular Physics, Nuclear Physics, and Optics/Optical Sciences, making it suitable…
12 institutions offering Physics in South Carolina
Graduate earnings are not yet reported for these institutions; ordered by graduates a year.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clemson University Clemson Public | — | 34 | 87% | — | — |
| 2 | University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia Public | — | 17 | 79% | — | — |
| 3 | Furman University Greenville Private not-for-profit | — | 11 | 79% | $24,932 | — |
| 4 | Wofford College Spartanburg Private not-for-profit | — | 5 | 84% | $24,459 | — |
| 5 | College of Charleston Charleston Public | — | 3 | 66% | — | — |
| 6 | Presbyterian College Clinton Private not-for-profit | — | 3 | 51% | $20,548 | — |
| 7 | South Carolina State University Orangeburg Public | — | 3 | 37% | — | — |
| 8 | Citadel Military College of South Carolina Charleston Public | — | 2 | 75% | — | — |
| 9 | Francis Marion University Florence Public | — | 2 | 43% | — | — |
| 10 | Coastal Carolina University Conway Public | — | 2 | 48% | — | — |
| 11 | Benedict College Columbia Private not-for-profit | — | 1 | 24% | $19,589 | — |
| 12 | Bob Jones University Greenville Private not-for-profit | — | 1 | 65% | $18,053 | — |
Colleges awarding the most Physics 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 | Clemson University Clemson Public | 34 | Not reported |
| 2 | University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia Public | 17 | Not reported |
| 3 | Furman University Greenville Private not-for-profit | 11 | Not reported |
| 4 | Wofford College Spartanburg Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
| 5 | College of Charleston Charleston Public | 3 | Not reported |
| 6 | Presbyterian College Clinton Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
| 7 | South Carolina State University Orangeburg Public | 3 | Not reported |
| 8 | Citadel Military College of South Carolina Charleston Public | 2 | Not reported |
| 9 | Francis Marion University Florence Public | 2 | Not reported |
| 10 | Coastal Carolina University Conway Public | 2 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 2 South Carolina colleges offering Physics
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benedict College | Columbia | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Bob Jones University | Greenville | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Physicists (SOC 19-2012).
Top skills
What Physicists earn in South Carolina
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Physics programs in South Carolina.
Which South Carolina colleges award the most Physics degrees?+
Clemson University (34 graduates a year), University of South Carolina-Columbia (17 graduates a year) and Furman University (11 graduates a year) award the most Physics degrees and certificates in South Carolina, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 12 South Carolina colleges offer Physics.
How much do Physicists earn in South Carolina?+
The average annual wage for Physicists in South Carolina is $159,280 (median $138,400), across about 420 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Physics program?+
The Physics program focuses on the study of matter, energy, and the fundamental forces of nature. It encompasses various specializations, including Atomic/Molecular Physics, Nuclear Physics, and Optics/Optical Sciences, making it suitable…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop science, reading comprehension, mathematics, critical thinking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Physicists?+
The national job outlook is about +4.0% growth with around 1,700 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Doctoral or professional 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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