Accounting Schools in South Carolina
There are many public and private colleges and universities in South Carolina that offer programs in accounting. Some schools offer general undergraduate or graduate accounting degrees, while others offer specialized concentrations or areas of focus. This guide to accounting schools in South Carolina will help you find a program that best fits your career goals and interests. Continue reading to learn more about different programs, school rankings, career outlooks, and professional licensure requirements in the state.
Table of Contents
- Comparison of Schools and Programs
- Top-Ranked Schools in South Carolina
- Highest First-Time CPA Exam Pass Rates
- School Profiles
- South Carolina CPA Requirements and Steps
- Career Opportunities for Graduates
- Additional Resources
Comparison of South Carolina Accounting Schools and Programs
The table below provides detailed information on not-for-profit accounting programs in South Carolina to help you compare your options. Programs that appear in bold text offer hybrid or online options.
| School | Accreditation | Accounting Degree(s) | Acceptance Rate10 | Grad Rate1 | Avg Net Price1 | Median Debt*10 | Median Earnings 10 Years After Entry**10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson University | ACBSP | BSB-Accounting; BBA-Accounting | 50.3% | 60% | $21,633 | $26,700 | $43,381 |
| Benedict College | ACBSP | BS-Accounting; Minor-Accounting | 85.5% | 20% | $17,845 | $32,500 | $31,537 |
| Bob Jones University | — | BS-Accounting | N.Av. | 69% | $18,733 | $16,585 | $43,148 |
| Charleston Southern University | IACBE | BBA-Accounting | 57.2% | 44% | $17,536 | $26,471 | $43,163 |
| Citadel Military College of South Carolina | — | BSBA-Accounting | 86.4% | 70% | $21,846 | $21,096 | $71,951 |
| Claflin University | ACBSP | BSBA-Accounting | 62.5% | 50% | $19,951 | $29,000 | $35,399 |
| Clemson University | AACSB | BS-Accounting; Minor-Accounting; MPAcc-Assurance Services; MPAcc-Taxation | 49.2% | 85% | $24,577 | $21,500 | $69,479 |
| Coastal Carolina University | — | BSBA-Accounting: CMA; BSBA-Accounting: CPA; 3-Year Accelerated BSBA-Accounting; 4-Year BSBA to MAcc; MAcc; Grad Cert-Fraud Examination | 79.1% | 48% | $14,016 | $23,750 | $46,189 |
| Coker University | — | BSBA-Accounting | 97.6% | 42% | $19,345 | $26,000 | $37,246 |
| College of Charleston | AACSB | BS-Accounting; Accelerated BS to MSA; MSA-Financial Reporting and Assurance; MSA-Financial Reporting and Assurance: International Track; MSA-Taxation; MSA-Taxation: International Track | 76.1% | 65% | $21,120 | $23,250 | $50,235 |
| Columbia College | — | BS-Accounting | 98.6% | 55% | $18,779 | $22,750 | $39,714 |
| Converse University | — | BS-Accounting; Minor-Accounting | 82.0% | 57% | $19,653 | $27,000 | $37,213 |
| Francis Marion University | — | BBA-Accounting; Minor-Accounting; Collateral-Accounting (for BBA majors) | 86.1% | 39% | $12,614 | $27,000 | $42,263 |
| Furman University | — | BA-Accounting | 71.4% | 85% | $33,370 | $23,250 | $60,889 |
| Limestone University | ACBSP | BSBA-Accounting | 87.2% | 25% | $23,478 | $27,639 | $41,484 |
| Newberry College | — | BS-Accounting; Minor-Accounting | 57.4% | 49% | $19,405 | $26,805 | $45,735 |
| North Greenville University | — | BBA-Accounting | 69.7% | 54% | $11,705 | $23,082 | $41,812 |
| Presbyterian College | — | BSBA-Accounting; Minor-Accounting | 71.0% | 63% | $21,571 | $26,000 | $51,619 |
| South Carolina State University | — | BS-Accounting | 87.6% | 34% | $17,435 | $31,000 | $36,750 |
| Southern Wesleyan University | — | BSBA-Accounting; Minor-Accounting | 56.6% | 60% | $17,639 | $26,000 | $41,948 |
| University of South Carolina-Aiken | — | BSBA-Accounting: General; BSBA-Accounting: Managerial; BSBA-Accounting: Public; BSBA-Accounting: Tax; MBA-Accounting | 83.5% | 42% | $11,872 | $24,275 | $46,909 |
| University of South Carolina-Columbia | AACSB | BSBA-Accounting; BSBA-Accounting: Business Analytics; BSBA-Accounting: Sustainability in Business; Accelerated BS/MAcc; MAcc-Business Measurement & Assurance; MAcc-Taxation; Macc/JD | 61.6% | 78% | $22,427 | $21,500 | $57,734 |
| University of South Carolina-Upstate | — | BSBA-Accounting | 75.7% | 43% | $13,835 | $22,310 | $45,359 |
| Voorhees University | — | BSBA-Accounting; BS-Accounting | N.Av. | 36% | $14,587 | $26,700 | $30,334 |
| Wofford College | — | BS-Accounting; Minor-Accounting | 52.5% | 83% | $31,192 | $25,732 | $67,231 |
Table Notes:
*Median Debt: The median debt is the cumulative federal loan debt, excluding PLUS loans, at the time of graduation for students who completed an undergraduate program (certificate, associate, or bachelor’s degree) as reported by College Scorecard for academic year 2020-2021 based on National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) data.
**Median Earnings 10 Years After Entry: Median earnings are the middle value of earnings, at which half earned more and half earned less, measured 10 years (2020-2021) after the first year of study (2010-2011) for all students, institution-wide, who received federal loans and who are employed but not enrolled in school. Note that this value includes those who completed their program of study as well as those who discontinued study without receiving an award.
Top-Ranked Accounting Schools in South Carolina
College rankings can be a useful tool to measure the overall reputation of a school or program. Weighing multiple rankings when evaluating your college choices can be helpful because different publishers may use different ranking factors in their methodologies. While the best program for your goals may rely on a combination of factors not typically considered in overall rankings, such as location or funding, seeing a program ranked on multiple lists can be a strong indication of reputation and academic quality.
College Factual’s Best Accounting Schools 2023
- University of South Carolina-Columbia (#57)
- Clemson University (#85)
- Wofford College (#251)2
Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Accounting Majors 2023
- Clemson University
- College of Charleston3
US News & World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs 2023
- Citadel Military College of South Carolina (#8 tie)
- Coastal Carolina University (#66 tie)
- Charleston Southern University (#98 tie)
- University of South Carolina-Aiken (#98 tie)
- Anderson University (#112 tie)
- Columbia College (#170-214)
- North Greenville University (#170-214)
- Limestone University (#170-214)
- Coker University (#170-214)5
US News & World Report’s Best Undergrad Accounting Programs 2022-2023
- Clemson University (#32 tie)6
Highest First-Time CPA Exam Pass Rate with a Bachelor’s Degree
The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) releases reports including data on candidate performance on the Uniform CPA Exam.11 The following schools had the highest first-time CPA exam pass rates in South Carolina in 2019 (the most recent report available*) for candidates with a bachelor’s degree, with the overall pass rate for first-time test-takers in South Carolina being 62.6%:
- Anderson University 85.7%
- University of South Carolina Upstate 79.4%
- Bob Jones University 76.9%
- Furman University 76.9%
- Clemson University 75.8%
- University of South Carolina Columbia 64.3%
*As NASBA makes significant changes to the CPA Exam as part of the CPA Evolution initiative, new candidate score reports by state are not anticipated until at least mid-2024.
Schools in South Carolina with Accounting Degrees
To give you an idea of the breadth and depth of accounting degrees offered in South Carolina, we have profiled select programs below. Be sure to visit the websites of programs of interest for more detailed information on courses, admissions requirements and deadlines, and faculty.
Undergraduate Accounting Programs
Clemson University
Clemson University offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting. Undergraduate students first complete a broad-based liberal arts core curriculum that includes classes in the humanities, English, public speaking, mathematics, and natural and social sciences. Accounting majors then take business and accounting courses in accounting methodology, auditing, taxation, and financial management theory such as Financial Accounting Concepts, Cost Accounting, and Accounting Information Systems. Coursework focuses on building the technical skills used in the field, but students also learn analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills. Graduates are prepared to find management positions in organizations, start their own businesses, or pursue other roles in finance and business. Students interested in CPA certification can pursue Clemson’s Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAcc).
Coastal Carolina University
Coastal Carolina University’s (CCU) Wall College of Business offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with a major in Accounting. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for careers in auditing, finance, tax, fraud detection, management, and government. Students may choose a CMA or CPA concentration depending on which exam they want to take after graduation. The program requires 36 to 45 credits of business core coursework and 24 credits of accounting major requirements, including classes such as Cost Accounting; Business and Financial Analysis; and Multinational Corporate Finance. Many students complete internships and volunteer for the IRS Volunteer Income Assistance (VITA) program. Wall College of Business also offers a Degree in Three program that allows students to complete their undergraduate degree in three years, and More in Four, an accelerated undergraduate/graduate degree program that can be completed in just four years. Students interested in graduate-level study can pursue CCU’s Master of Accountancy (MAcc).
Furman University
Students at Furman University can earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Accounting. The core curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary connections between accounting, finance, marketing, operations, and other subjects, and students learn how to communicate, think critically, and work collaboratively. The curriculum covers accounting fundamentals through courses such as Cost Accounting, Auditing, and Federal Income Taxation. Students gain real-world experience by volunteering with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program preparing tax returns for low-income taxpayers in the community as part of classes Intermediate Accounting I and II. Junior and senior students work in teams to complete experiential exercises and special projects, and the business school also sponsors seminars, guest lectures, and company visits. Furman emphasizes experiential learning and career preparation, offering support for networking, professional development, and study abroad and internship placement opportunities. Graduates can go on to work in leadership positions in the industry or start their own firms and businesses.
Graduate Accounting Programs
College of Charleston
The College of Charleston (CofC) offers a Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA) degree. This 30-credit program is designed for students interested in pursuing the CPA designation and can be completed on a full-time basis within 12 months or a part-time basis with late afternoon and evening classes in two years. The MSA degree offers two tracks, Financial Reporting/Assurance and Taxation, and required courses include Accounting Theory and Contemporary Accountancy Issues. Students interested in working with multinational firms can also follow a simultaneous International Track that emphasizes global perspectives and real-world experience. This graduate program focuses on the technical skills, professional development, and effective communication styles needed to work within public accounting, private industry, and government. CofC also offers an accelerated MSA option for undergraduate accounting seniors interested in pursuing graduate study.
University of South Carolina
At the University of South Carolina’s (UofSC) Darla Moore School of Business, students can earn a Master of Accountancy (MAcc) degree. The graduate curriculum provides a foundation for pursuing CPA licensure as well as the technical knowledge needed to succeed in the accounting field. Students learn to analyze financial information, think creatively, and communicate possible solutions for businesses and organizations. The Darla Moore School of Business offers three MAcc tracks: Taxation; Business Measurement and Assurance; and Information Systems and Control. Students can also choose from specializations in advisory/consulting services, CPA exam preparation, corporate/managerial accounting, finance, international business, and entrepreneurship, in addition to certificates in business analytics, cybersecurity, management, and strategic innovation. UofSC also offers a combined MAcc/Juris Doctor (JD) program for those wanting to combine a career in law and accountancy. Graduates are encouraged to take advantage of UofSC’s extensive alumni and industry network for post-graduation career opportunities.
Online and Hybrid Accounting Programs
Southern Wesleyan University
Southern Wesleyan University (SWU) offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) degree that can be completed on-campus or online. On-campus students have the option to add a concentration in Accounting, but all business administration students study the same core curriculum. Courses cover subjects such as accounting, business law, economics, finance, management, marketing, statistics, and strategy. Classes such as Financial Accounting and Corporate Finance teach students how to analyze and understand the financial information that impacts an organization. Students learn problem-solving strategies, collaborative teamwork skills, and relevant technology used in the field. Graduates from SWU can find positions in management or accounting or use their entrepreneurial knowledge to start and operate their own businesses.
South Carolina CPA Requirements and Steps
The South Carolina Board of Accountancy (the Board) requires CPA candidates to earn at least a bachelor’s degree and 150 semester hours of credit from an accredited college or university. There are six main steps to complete in order to earn a CPA license in South Carolina.
- Complete 150 semester hours of acceptable college-level coursework in accounting.
- Accumulate the required hours of experience.
- Complete the AICPA ethics course and exam.
- Pass the Uniform CPA Examination.
- Apply for a license.
- Receive a license.
1. Complete 150 semester hours of college-level education in accounting.
The Board requires CPA candidates to have completed 150 semester hours of education that includes the award of at least a bachelor’s degree. A major in accounting is also required, consisting of at least 36 semester hours in accounting courses covering financial accounting, managerial accounting, taxation, and auditing, of which 24 semester hours must be at the junior level or above. Candidates must also have at least 36 non-duplicative semester hours in business courses.
2. Accumulate the required hours of experience.
Prospective South Carolina CPAs must earn at least one year (2,000 hours) of experience to qualify for a license. The experience may be earned through either full-time or part-time work. A maximum of 40 hours may be counted per calendar week. Experience gained through public, private, or government employment must be supervised by a currently licensed CPA. Experience may only be accrued after the candidate has completed the 24-semester hour core accounting education requirement. Experience in academia must amount to five years of full-time teaching or the equivalent in semester hours of part-time teaching. Experience gained in academia must also include teaching accounting beyond the principles level at an accredited college or university for at least three of the full five years.
3. Complete the AICPA ethics course and exam.
South Carolina CPA applicants must complete an ethics examination approved by the Board. The Board currently uses the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Professional Ethics: The AICPA’s Comprehensive Course course and exam to meet this requirement. All materials in the course are self-study and can be ordered through the AICPA website. The course and exam must be passed with a grade of 90% or higher to qualify.
4. Pass the Uniform CPA Examination.
CPAs in all 50 states must first pass the Uniform CPA Exam developed by the AICPA to become licensed. South Carolina currently uses NASBA to administer the exam. Once a candidate has completed 120 semester hours of education with 24 hours in both accounting and business, the candidate may apply to the exam through the NASBA website. All four sections of the exam must be passed within an 18-month rolling period with a score of at least 75 to receive credit for passing the exam.
5. Apply for a license.
Once all the requirements for licensure are met, a candidate may apply for a license. Candidates should complete the online electronic CPA licensure application and submit it with all necessary documentation and fees to the Board.
6. Receive a license.
After the Board has reviewed all application materials, a CPA license will be granted to practice in South Carolina. Once submitted, applicants can track the progress of their application through the Board’s web portal and print their license once it is issued.
CPA License Renewal and Continuing Education Information
Once licensed, CPAs must renew their licenses and submit proof of continuing education (CE) by February 1 of each renewal year. South Carolina CPAs must complete at least 40 hours of CE per year. Of the 40 hours, no more than 20 may be in self-study programs, and no more than eight may be in personal development subjects. During each three-year renewal period, CPAs must complete six hours of CE in ethics, two of which are specific to South Carolina Rules and Regulations. You can find additional information on the Board’s website.
Career Opportunities for Accounting Graduates in South Carolina
Graduates with accounting degrees in South Carolina may find many different opportunities to work within the state’s accounting industry after finishing their studies. Large companies like AgFirst Farm Credit Bank and BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina employ high numbers of accounting, finance, and tax experts. Graduates may also find opportunities with statewide or local accounting firms or choose to start their own businesses.
South Carolina Accounting Salary and Jobs by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Accountants & Auditors Employed12 | Average Annual Salary12 |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County | 1,520 | $75,580 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 14,490 | $94,050 |
| Charleston-North Charleston | 2,650 | $80,690 |
| Columbia | 3,540 | $65,530 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin | 2,890 | $76,680 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC | 1,050 | $68,840 |
Additional Resources
Top Accounting Firms for Graduates in South Carolina
- Elliott Davis, LLC: Employs over 700 accounting professionals throughout the Southeast, offering accounting, tax, assurance and consulting services.
- Bauknight Pietras & Stormer, P.A. (BPS): One of the largest accounting firms in the Southeast, BPS offers accounting, tax, and business advisory services to private businesses and families.
- Forvis: One of the top 10 accounting firms in the country, Forvis offers a range of tax, advisory, assurance solutions across a wide array of industries.
South Carolina Accounting Associations
- South Carolina Association of CPAs (SCACPA): Open to CPAs in South Carolina, the SCACPA supports members through CE offerings, advocacy, networking, and industry updates.
- South Carolina Society of Accountants (SCSA): The SCSA offers CE opportunities, encourages professional cooperation through the establishment of local chapters, and promotes the accounting profession to the general public.
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. College Factual Best Accounting Schools 2023: https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/rankings/top-ranked/
3. The Princeton Review. The Best 382 Colleges 2023 Edition. Penguin Random House, 2022.
4. US News & World Report’s Best MBA Accounting Programs: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/accounting-rankings
5. US News & World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs 2023: https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/bachelors/online-bachelors-business-rankings
6. US News & World Report’s Best Undergraduate Accounting Programs: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/business-accounting
7. Association to Advance College Schools of Business, Accredited Universities and Schools, Business & Accounting: https://www.aacsb.edu/accredited
8. Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, Accredited Schools, Separate Accounting: https://acbspsearch.org/
9. International Accreditation Council for Business Education, Members: https://iacbe.org/accreditation/member-status-information/
10. Department of Education College Scorecard: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
11. The NASBA Candidate Performance Report, 2019 University Edition: https://nasbareport.com/
12. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2022 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, South Carolina: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_sc.htm
13. South Carolina Board of Accountancy: https://llr.sc.gov/acct/