Do you have a high schooler who is wondering what college to go to next year after they graduate? If so, you may want to consider these four South Carolina colleges named by The Princeton Review.
In its current edition of "The Best 390 Colleges," published August, the College of Charleston, Furman University, the University of South Carolina, and Wofford College were named.
To determine the rankings, data was taken from a survey of 168,000 students from 390 colleges. Students were then asked questions regarding their school based on the following categories: academics/administration, college life, their fellow students, and themselves.
Here's why these S.C. colleges were named among some of the nation's best.
College of Charleston (featured college)
∎ Acceptance Rate: 72%
∎ Tuition: $36,858
∎ SAT Scores: 1150-1210
∎ ACT Scores: 24-29
∎ From the School: Students who attend the school enjoy its small-college feel and diversity of a mid-sized, urban university. Professors are focused on student growth and are dedicated in teaching and helping them succeed. The college campus is located in the heart of historical Charleston, which serves as a "living and learning laboratory for experiences in business, science, technology, teaching, the humanities, languages, and the arts."
Furman University
∎ Acceptance Rate: 53%
∎ Tuition: $59,360
∎ SAT Scores: 1260-1425
∎ ACT Scores: 28-32
∎ Financial Aid Rating: 88
∎ Academics: Furman's pre-professional curriculum was noted as one of its top selling points, especially its pre-health and pre-law advisers, who help students get placed into graduate programs. The staff is also ready to help students excel, but prospective students should be prepared to study hard ― the academics can be "very difficult."
∎ Student Body: Undergrads push each other to succeed at Furman, its student body made up of individuals who have "high aspirations." While the majority of the demographic was described as "Southern white" with wealthy backgrounds, the university has made recruitment efforts to diversify its student body. There are also many people with unique talents and similar hobbies, making it easy to make friends.
∎ Campus Life: Students are involved in many clubs and organizations, with undergraduates drawn to the university's accessible athletic events. Greek life is popular despite party life not being prevalent on campus. Furman also hosts many cultural events and has a variety of organizations for students to join, like Eco Reps, Residential Life Council, and musical theatre.
University of South Carolina
∎ Acceptance Rate: 61%
∎ Tuition: $12,288
∎ SAT Scores: 1180-1380
∎ ACT Scores: 26-32
∎ Financial Aid Rating: 81
∎ Academics: The University of South Carolina is a historic institution with over 200 years of southern traditions and academic leadership. The school "provides a wealth of opportunities for undergraduate research, study abroad, service learning, and unique organizations." Students also have plenty of opportunities for learning outside of the classroom. Throughout the university, there are tutors and supplemental instructors who can help students with classes that can "sometimes be very difficult."
∎ Student Body: Comprised of a mix of different ethnicity, genders, and personalities, the student body is relatively "laid back in dress and attitude," with a large Greek population. The university aims to make everyone feel included, especially for the Gameco*ck experience.
∎ Campus Life: Students who attend the university can look forward to a vibrant social life where there is always something to do, from traditional football games on Saturday and Hip Hop Wednesdays to weekends spent in Five Points.
Wofford College
∎ Acceptance Rate: 69%
∎ Tuition: $42,335
∎ SAT Scores: 1120-1310
∎ ACT Scores: 24-30
∎ Financial Aid Rating: 90
∎ Academics: Wofford emits a family-friendly atmosphere and community due to its small size. It is a great place to obtain a liberal arts educations and for students looking to network with "highly influential people." The campus was also described as "beautiful" with up to date facilities.
∎ Student Body: "Hardworking," and "driven" were words used to describe students attending Wofford, who take pride in their academic achievements. Although diversity on campus has increased, the student demographic is "predominantly white."
∎ Campus Life: Students work hard throughout the week but also take the time to have fun on campus. Students can be found playing sports at the gym, dancing at the Greek Village, and mingling at the college's six fraternities, four sororities, two historically Black fraternities, and a multicultural house at the Greek Village. The school also hosts trivia nights and cultural events, with plenty of hiking trails nearby for nature lovers.
Nina Tran covers trending topics for The Greenville News. Reach her via email at ntran@gannett.com.
