South Carolina Universities are a Great Value

More great news for South Carolina is just in, and it's about our higher education. 

Clemson University, the University of South Carolina and the College of Charleston all are ranked as among the best deals in public education, according to Kiplinger's 2008 annual ranking.

Clemson claims the highest spot among the three, ranking No. 33 of 100, but fell from No. 29 last year.  

USC, meanwhile, jumped 16 spots to No. 35 after dropping 20 spots in 2006.

College of Charleston also made the list at No. 70, down from 47 last year, as the cost to attend the school increased from an average of $14,762 to $17,272.

To compile the list, Kiplinger analyzed student SAT and ACT scores, university enrollment, student-faculty ratio, graduation rates, total cost and average debt after graduation.  The financial magazine will release the rankings in its February issue.

Kiplinger did not mention Clemson or the College of Charleston in the article but singled out USC's rise on the list for "a more competitive admission rate, plus better test scores." 

"The 2007 freshman class entered the university with the highest average SAT score in our history," said USC President Andrew Sorensen.

These are just three of the many colleges and universities available in South Carolina, and hopefully we'll see a few more make the list in years to come.