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Best Nursing Schools in Columbia, SC in 2024 (Online & On-Campus)

Best Nursing Schools in Columbia, SC in 2024 (Online & On-Campus)

nursing schools in columbia scAre you looking for nursing programs in South Carolina? You’re in luck. Nursing is an exciting career with a variety of educational options that allow students to pursue their nursing goals. The best nursing schools in Columbia SC offer outstanding opportunities for prospective nurses to begin their nursing career, and for nurses with current licensure to expand their knowledge, skills, and nursing career options.

Some nursing schools in the Columbia, South Carolina area offer programs for entry-level nursing students. Other schools guide nurses through advanced level nursing program options that potentially lead to nursing administration or nursing faculty positions, along with increased salary potential.

Please note that the tuition rates listed for each school include only the cost of tuition, and not the cost of additional required nursing program fees, uniforms, supplies, or other costs. Some schools may charge higher tuition for students residing outside the state.

The time that it takes to complete a nursing program potentially varies based on factors such as whether a student attends full-time or part-time. Contact each school if you have questions regarding the length of time that it takes to complete a nursing program, or the overall costs of attending one of these best nursing schools in Columbia, SC.

How Nursing Students Can Help Reduce the South Carolina Nursing Shortage

Although there are accredited nursing programs in and around Columbia, SC, along with online nursing program options, a nursing shortage persists across the United States, with South Carolina having one of the highest shortages of nurses in the country. Several sources indicate that they expect the shortage to continue over the next several years. Nursing shortages potentially affect the number of qualified working nurses and the number of qualified nursing faculty members in the area.

Learn how you can potentially help reduce the nursing shortage when you graduate from one of the best nursing schools in Columbia SC and achieve your dream of becoming a nurse, or your goal of advancing your current nursing career.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reveals that there are exceptional employment opportunities for new graduates and current nurses, along with the potential for advancement. The BLS indicates that all professional nurses, including Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs), Registered Nurses (RNs), Advanced Practice Nurses and Nursing Instructors have a ‘much faster than average’ job outlook through the year 2028, when compared to all other occupations. This means that you have the opportunity to pursue your ambition to help other people, and to pursue your passion to become a qualified nurse, while doing your part to possibly help reduce the nursing shortage when you graduate from one of these nursing schools in Columbia SC. If you’re closer to Greenville, visit our ranking of the best nursing schools in Greenville, SC.

List of the best nursing schools in Columbia, SC in 2024

1. Midlands Technical College

Midlands Technical College nursing schools in columbia sc

The Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program at Midlands Technical College prepares students to work in entry-level nursing positions and prepare for advanced nursing education programs. Students gain basic nursing skills, technical skills, and the knowledge to make judgment decisions in nursing.

Learn through traditional classroom courses, along with laboratory and clinical experiences that help students gain the expertise required for LPNs to work in a variety of healthcare settings under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN) or physician.

  • Tuition: $188 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 97.56%
  • Estimated program length: 4 semesters
  • Accreditation: ACEN

2. Columbia College

Columbia College offers nurses that have completed an associate degree in nursing (ADN) and that have current licensure as a registered nurse the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree through the school’s RN to BSN program. The school reimburses students for the cost of the application fee. The school also covers the cost of textbooks for students enrolled in this program.

Courses in this online program last for just five weeks.

  • Tuition: $395 per credit hour
  • Estimated program length: 4 semesters
  • Accreditation: CCNE

3. University of South Carolina Aiken

The University of South Carolina Aiken offers nurses with a current, unencumbered registered nursing (RN) licensure the opportunity to receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree in a completely online format. This means that Columbia nurses do not have to travel to Aiken, nor worry about not being able to attend classes in a traditional format.

Each course is taught by the same faculty that teach traditional nursing courses. The program challenges nurses to take their career to the next level, while learning new principles, concepts, and theories of nursing, all while expanding existing nursing skills. Learn about critical thinking, management, performing assessments, and how to identify and apply the concepts of nursing in family healthcare settings, along with community settings.

  • Tuition: $306 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 97.22%
  • Estimated program length: 4 semesters
  • Accreditation: CCNE

4. South University

Pursue your dream of advancing your nursing career by enrolling in the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program at South University. Prepare for additional responsibilities in nursing as you learn nursing theory and advanced practice nursing skills, and gain the knowledge to work in a rapidly evolving healthcare system.

Program graduates have the expertise to deliver leading edge, community-based primary healthcare across the lifespan while placing emphasis on promoting positive health behaviors for clients or patients throughout different life stages. Graduates also have the skills to analyze healthcare systems and to model professional leadership in nursing.

  • Tuition: $500 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 100%
  • Estimated program length: 6 semesters
  • Accreditation: CCNE

5. University of South Carolina

Students graduating from the University of South Carolina Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program have achieved a 100 percent NCLEX pass rate over three consecutive cohorts. Students work towards their dream of becoming a nurse in this traditionally-formatted BSN program.

Students learn to perform in the professional role of a healthcare provider, make clinical judgments, and to work as a qualified member of an interdisciplinary healthcare team. They’ll demonstrate evidence-based clinically competent care, cultural awareness, and nursing competencies in a diverse community.

The school also offers an online RN to BSN program for nurses with currently unencumbered RN licensure that want to obtain a BSN degree.

  • Tuition: $512 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 100%
  • Estimated program length: 8 semesters
  • Accreditation: CCNE

6. Midlands Technical College

Midlands Technical College offers the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) for students that want to become registered nurses and serve in a vital nursing role across a variety of healthcare settings. Learn the skills necessary to work in complex healthcare situations, and to care for acutely ill patients.

Students in this program participate in classroom learning, simulated lab, and clinical experiences.

  • Tuition: $188 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 89.02%
  • Estimated program length: 5 semesters
  • Accreditation: ACEN

7. Bob Jones University

Bob Jones University, located in Greenville, offers students with current registered nursing (RN) licensure, and either an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a diploma in nursing the opportunity to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The online format of the RN to BSN program is potentially ideal for Columbia, SC nurses that are busy with their nursing or family responsibilities that cannot attend traditional classes.

Students learn to implement evidence-based practices, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. The focus is on patient-centered care across the patient’s lifespan. Graduates have the knowledge and skills necessary for management, leadership, and accountability in nursing.

  • Tuition: $425 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 96.55%
  • Estimated program length: 5 semesters
  • Accreditation: CCNE

8. University of South Carolina

The Master of Science in Nursing Administration degree program at the University of South Carolina offers flexible programming, including online course delivery, along with a practicum that you can complete at your workplace. The school touts this MSN program as a comprehensive option that ‘prepares you to gain national certification in nursing administration.’

Gain knowledge of the complex nature of nursing as you acquire the skills required for a leadership role in nursing, a strong foundation in management, and organizational development in nursing. Students learn to manage healthcare delivery in a variety of diverse healthcare settings.

Graduates have the potential opportunity to sit for four credentialing exams.

  • Tuition: $572.25 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 100%
  • Estimated program length: 5 semesters
  • Accreditation: CCNE

9. Columbia College

The BSN program at Columbia College prepares students for an exciting nursing career. The school offers this program in collaboration with Midlands Technical College, preparing students to graduate with both an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and a BSN degree at the same time. 

Develop outstanding nursing practice skills through a combination of classroom instruction, skills labs, simulation laboratory experiences, and clinical rotations while working on completing both of your nursing degrees.

The program also prepares students for pursuing advanced, specialized nursing degrees.

  • Tuition: $650 per credit hour
  • Estimated program length: 8 semesters
  • Accreditation: CCNE

10. Clemson University

Clemson University offers students with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) that are registered nurses the opportunity to complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree in a completely online format. The school offers the RN to BSN program strictly in an online format. This is likely ideal for nursing students that live in the Columbia area. Students complete their degree without having to commute to campus other than for orientation day.

Students start the RN to BSN program during either the fall or the spring semester. The focus is on expanding the student’s current knowledge, communication skills, critical thinking skills, accountability, and professional skills related to nursing. Learn to focus on the importance of management, leadership, and research in nursing.

The Clemson School of Nursing has a nearly 100 percent job placement rate within three months of graduation. 

  • Tuition: $633 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 93.44%
  • Estimated program length: 3 semesters
  • Accreditation: CCNE

Methodology

We ranked each school by assigning a unique score for tuition, the NCLEX first time pass rate, and for accreditation. When a tie occurred, the school with the lower tuition received a higher ranking. We strive to do our best to be honest, fair, and accurate in our rankings. We obtained our information from the school itself or from the NCES.

No school can pay us for a higher ranking. Any supported school is listed separately and clearly labeled as SPONSORED.

Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee current tuition or other information because these things periodically change. It is the student’s responsibility to check a school for current tuition costs, and other information.

If you would like to have your school included in our rankings or listed as a supported school, please contact us.

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