15 Military Friendly Colleges in South Carolina

1University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia Campus | Columbia, SC 29208

University of South Carolina (UofSC) is the first military friendly school in South Carolina on our list. It serves over 930 students who get GI Bill benefits. The Veterans and Military Services team helps students balance student and service life. And, the Veterans Lounge is a great place to relax between classes. You can grab a bite to eat, or study with fellow military affiliated students or veterans.

UofSC Columbia participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers 55 undergrad students up to $10,360 each, per year. 10 grad students get up to $3,400 each, per year. An additional 5 grad students at the Law School get up to $3,400 each, per year. Finally, 2 students at the Medical/SC Pharmacy School get up to $3,400 each, per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 89%. And, the rate for part time students is 33%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: N/A
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: N/A
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 89%
Part Time: 33%

2 Charleston Southern University
9200 University Blvd | Charleston, SC 29406

Charleston Southern University (CSU) has been providing educational programs and services to military personnel and their families for over 40 years. The school has a Veterans Lounge dedicated to students who served and serve in the military. There are free veteran counseling services available on campus.

CSU participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers an unlimited number of students an unlimited max contribution per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 75%. And, the rate for part time students is 50%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $15,290
Grad: $5,880

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 244
Grad: 59

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 75%
Part Time: 50%

3 Clemson University
201 Sikes Hall | Clemson, SC 29634

Clemson University has tremendous pride in its military heritage. This dates back to 1917 when the entire class volunteered for military duty during World War I. The Clemson Student Veteran Center provides an accessible and convenient space for interaction with fellow veterans. And, Green Zone Training provides faculty, staff, and students with an understanding of the military experience. The program helps student veterans as they transition from the military to campus life.

Clemson participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers 45 undergrad students up to $3,500 each, per year. And, 5 graduate students get up to $5,000 each, per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 100%. And, the rate for part time students is 50%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $14,653
Grad: $12,314

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 427
Grad: 81

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 100%
Part Time: 50%

4 Midlands Technical College
1260 Lexington Drive, West Columbia, South Carolina 29170-2176

Midlands Technical College offers a range of programs and courses. Whether you plan to work towards a degree, transfer to a four year college or want a quicker training program. Choose to study paralegal, criminal justice, art studio, welding or another of their choices.

MTC could also be a great place for active military and veterans. The college has several active military and veteran resources and is fully staffed to assist in processing benefits. Many of the school’s programs are also approved for military and veterans education benefits.

Also in place is an Accounting articulation agreement with the U.S. Army Financial Management School, Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and Midlands Technical College. This sets out terms for awarding course credits from MTC to these named schools.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $6,569
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 375
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 81%
Part Time: 68%

5 College of Charleston
66 George St | Charleston, SC 29424

College of Charleston (CofC) strives to serve veterans and honor their service. So, the school participates in Green Zone training. This is designed to give veteran and military students a quick and clear way to identify allies on campus. These are faculty and staff who have trained to assist veteran and military students.

CofC participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers 10 students up to $3,500 each, per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 93%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $10,882
Grad: $9,461

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 304
Grad: 11

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 93%
Part Time: 0%

6 Trident Technical College
7000 Rivers Avenue, Charleston, South Carolina 29423-8067

Trident Technical College is a public, two year school. It has recently earned the 2021-2022 Military Friendly School designation. And, has also been designated Military Friendly for the 2021-2022 academic year by GI Jobs. 

TTC’s Veterans Assistance office helps veterans and their dependents. Areas of support include educational benefits forms, tuition assistance, transcripts, standards of academic progress and related information. There is also a TTC Workforce Military Recruiter who helps military, veterans and family members with the application and enrollment process.

Apart from these varied services, a VA benefits covered veteran or military dependent may qualify for the in-state tuition rate. The college’s website also has a page listing potential external military scholarships.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $3,021
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 338
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 73%
Part Time: 70%

7 Coastal Carolina University
103 Tom Trout Dr | Conway, SC 29526

At Coastal Carolina University (CCU), Veterans Services and the Veterans Success Team work to retain and graduate veterans and their family members. They also conduct training for staff and faculty on veterans’ issues. The director of the Office of Veteran Services serves as the faculty adviser to the Coastal Carolina Chapter of the Student Veterans of America.

CCU participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers 35 students up to $5,000 each, per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 94%. And, the rate for part time students is 25%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $9,464
Grad: $6,322

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 199
Grad: 8

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 94%
Part Time: 25%

8 University of South Carolina-Upstate

800 University Way, Spartanburg, South Carolina 29303-4999

USC Upstate offers several on campus resources for veterans. Across campus, veterans will find green zones. These are military friendly locations where student veterans can feel safe. There is also a Student Veterans Association which connects veteran students with resources.

At USC Upstate, the Veterans Affairs Office is the go-to for student veterans and their families. In addition to answering questions related to service, benefits, education and career choices, they are in charge of certifying V.A. benefits. Including the Go Army Tuition Assistance Program.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $9,647
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 102
Grad: 1

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 85%
Part Time: 100%

9 South University, Columbia
9 Science Court | Columbia, SC 29203

South University has a proud tradition and strong record of serving the nation’s veterans and their families. The school is grateful to the men and women who keep America safe. Plus, it has a recognized student veteran organization on campus.

South participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers an unlimited number of undergrad, grad, and doctoral students an unlimited max contribution per year.

Veterans may be eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 80%. And, the rate for part time students is 73%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $9,523
Grad: $9,538

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 39
Grad: 8

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 80%
Part Time: 73%

10 Strayer University-South Carolina
777 Lowndes Hill Road, Greenville, South Carolina 29607

Strayer University SC offers associate, bachelor’s and masters degree programs as well as certificates. Some of the areas of study are business, IT, criminal justice and accounting. Many of these are fully online so you could access coursework from anywhere and at the pace that suits you, Military assistance may be available to qualifying students.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $7,995
Grad: $6,966

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 77
Grad: 11

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 100%
Part Time: 64%

11 Arclabs
2615 Highway 153, B-3, Piedmont, South Carolina 29673-6729

Arclabs is a two year private for profit school that is proud to accept VA benefits (GI Bill® and VA Vocational Rehabilitation) for several of their welding programs.

The school also waives the application fee for Veterans with an honorable discharge DD-214 or current, valid military ID for active duty students. There is a VA certifying official on every campus which may help you get started with government assistance and forms.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $19,643
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 93
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: N/A
Part Time: N/A

12 University of South Carolina Aiken
471 University Pkwy | Aiken, SC 29801

University of South Carolina Aiken’s (USCA) Veteran and Military Student Success Center is a great resource. It offers a meeting space where students can study for exams, learn from current students, and find a sense of community as they adjust to civilian life. Also, there is a Student Veterans Organization (SVO) on campus.

USCA participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers 3 undergrad students up to $2,000 each, per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 57%. And, the rate for part time students is 50%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $8,456
Grad: $6,513

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 110
Grad: 31

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 57%
Part Time: 50%

13 University of South Carolina Beaufort
1 University Blvd | Bluffton, SC 29909

University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) is proud to offer the country’s brave service members the chance to discover powerful futures. It also has a recognized student veteran organization on campus.

USCB participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers an unlimited number of undergrad students an unlimited max contribution per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 88%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $7,867
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 111
Grad: 2

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 88%
Part Time: N/A

14 Limestone University
1115 College Drive | Gaffney, SC 29340

Limestone College understands the needs of military students.

Limestone participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers 25 undergrad students up to $3,000 each, per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 69%. And, the rate for part time students is 67%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $9,703
Grad: $8,104

# of Students

Undergrad: 59
Grad: 12

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 69%
Part Time: 67%

15 Technical College of the Lowcountry
921 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, South Carolina 29901-1288

Technical College of the Lowcountry offers 80+ accredited academic programs and transfer degree options. It is a public, two-year, multi-campus community college that provides career focused education to prepare for many of today’s skilled jobs.

TCL is also commits to serve veterans, active duty military, their spouses and dependents stationed in the Lowcountry. It is an approved institution for for VA educational benefit programs. If you are eligible to apply for your education benefits, the school could help you understand what may be available.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $2,778
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 160
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 79%
Part Time: 88%