South Carolina's Best Nursing Schools for 2020

York Technical College is located in Rock Hill, South Carolina.  They  offer a DAS (diploma) for practical nursing, a AAS degree – Gen Tech Nursing – Practical, an AAS – Nursing (ADN) and an AAS – Gen Tech to Nursing (ADN).  Their program is a collaboration with University of South Carolina Lancaster, and students (even LPN students earning AAS degree) ready themselves for advanced degrees at University of South Carolina Lancaster.

Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College is located in Orangeburg, South Carolina.  OCtech offers a practical nursing program, an ADN program and an ADN FLEX program; the FLEX program is the LPN to ADN program operates from January to December, with classes being offered on-campus and online.  Clinicals are offered on weekends.

Greenville Technical College is located in Greenville, South Carolina.  They are one of the largest ADN programs in South Carolina and have been in operation since 1971.  Their program is an ADN program and they also have a BSN transfer option with USC Upstate.

Central Carolina Technical College is located in Sumter, South Carolina.  They offer an ADN program and an LPN to ADN program.  The LPN to ADN program allows for advanced placement into the ADN program.

Aiken Technical College is located in Graniteville, South Carolina.  They offer a practical nursing program, an ADN program and an LPN to ADN transition option.  LPNs take a transition semester, then join the RN students for the final two semesters.

Trident Technical College is located in Charleston, South Carolina.  They offer several degree options for students looking to break into nursing; they offer a practical nursing and an ADN program.  In addition, they offer an LPN-ADN program, which begins each summer.  They also offer an accelerated ADN program, which is designed for students holding a prior bachelor’s degree; it is completed in 15 months.

Spartanburg Community College is located in Spartanburg, South Carolina.  They offer an ADN program.  They no longer have an LPN to RN transition program; however, students are admitted to their program on a :”points system” and LPNs can earn more points based on their nursing experience.

Midlands Technical College is located in West Columbia, South Carolina.  They offer an ADN degree program and an LPN to ADN advanced placement option, where the LPN can have advanced placement into the nursing program.  MTC has been in existence since 1974, when three schools came together to form MTC.

Piedmont Technical College is located in Greenwood, South Carolina.  They offer ADN degrees and an LPN to RN degree.  They offer two ADN degrees – one generic ADN degree and one designed for transfer to four-year degree programs.  They also offer a nursing care certificate, which is an aide program designed for students who seek to become aide’s in preparation for the ADN program.

Technical College of the Lowcountry is located in Beaufort, South Carolina.  They offer a practical nursing program and an ADN program.  Students enrolled in the ADN program are eligible to take the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program Exam after completion of NUR102 “Basic Nursing Skills”.

University of South Carolina is located in Columbia, South Carolina.  USC has been rated #1 in the nation by US News and World Report for their online education Master’s programs.  They offer a BSN program and an RN to BSN program, in addition to a wide variety of post-graduate options.

Lander University is located in Greenwood, South Carolina.  The William Preston Turner School of Nursing offers a pre-licensure BSN program, an online RN to BSN program and an MSN for Clinical Nurse Leader program.

Anderson University is located in Anderson, Texas.  Anderson University is a Christian university.  They offer a traditional BSN program, an accelerated BSN program and an RN to BSN program. The RN to BSN program is offered online and can be completed at the student’s pace.  The students with at least 59 college credits, or a previous bachelor’s degree, are eligible for the ABSN degree.

Clemson University is located in Clemson, South Carolina.  Clemson’s School of Nursing is among only 35 nursing programs nationwide to be recognized since 2004 as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing. They offer a BSN program, an accelerated BSN, which is a 16-month curriculum for second-degree learners, and an online RN to BSN program.

The Medical University of South Carolina is located in Charleston, South Carolina.  MUSC is unique because it offers only the classes needed for the degrees – students must earn their prerequisites elsewhere.  They offer an accelerated BSN and an RN to BSN program.  The accelerated BSN is available to all students – all students require a minimum of 60 prerequisite credits for entrance.

Bob Jones University is located in Greenville, South Carolina.  BJU is a Christian college and they offer a biblical approach to nursing education.  Their education is largely focused on clinicals – they have a 3-year Clinical Program.  Students also have the opportunity to serve on mission trips, such as in Peru or Africa.  They offer a BSN program.

Francis Marion University is located in Florence, South Carolina.  They offer a traditional BSN program.  They also offer several RN to BSN options – they offer an online program, a hybrid program a their Mount Pleasant campus, and also an RN to BSN Veterans program.  The veterans program is for honorably or generally discharged veterans to complete their nursing education; not only does this program give credit for nursing experience, but also military experience.