Top four-year colleges and universities for nursing in South Carolina

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nursing (RN) jobs are projected to increase by 19% through 2022. South Carolina’s aspiring nurses must decide whether to enter the job market directly with an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or to further their education with a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree. An ADN program requires a two-year commitment, while a BSN takes four years to complete and includes coursework in a wider variety of disciplines like nursing theory, research, and clinical field practice.

Thankfully, both of these RN prelicensure programs are offered at numerous four-year colleges and universities across the state. The University of South Carolina, Clemson University, and Coastal Carolina University are among the largest schools in South Carolina offering nursing programs.

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Both ADN- and BSN-prepared nurses must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to gain licensure. They perform similar roles in the hospital and often have comparable starting salaries. However, as healthcare evolves and more is demanded of nurses, major employers in South Carolina are showing an increasing preference for BSN-educated nurses. This preference is reflected in the 20% increase in BSN-credentialed nurses between 2008 and 2013. Major local employers include Piedmont Medical Center, East Cooper Regional Medical Center, Coastal Carolina Hospital, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Furthermore, a bachelor’s nursing degree affords greater opportunity for advancement into senior positions in nursing and other sectors. These include management, teaching, research, and military and public health nursing. A BSN degree is also needed for acceptance into a master’s degree program, which can lead to specialty nursing roles like nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, and nurse anesthetist. These advanced specializations carry significantly higher earnings.

To help you find the nursing program that best meets your needs, we’ve compiled below a complete list of South Carolina’s four-year colleges and universities for nursing.