5 Easiest Nursing Schools To Get Into in South Carolina 2025

Nurses serve essential roles in our national healthcare system. Registered nurses (RNs) make up one of the largest segments of the American workforce and rank among the highest-paying occupations, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).

The first step in becoming a registered nurse is to enroll in an accredited nursing program. If you want to join this important profession and want to learn more about the easiest nursing schools to get into in South Carolina, read on.

How Competitive Are Nursing Schools in South Carolina?

Nursing schools are generally competitive due to a shortage of classroom space, limited budget allotments, and experienced faculty. This is true both for South Carolina and for the greater U.S.

Still, there are many pathways for you to begin your nursing career. Technical and community colleges are some of the easiest nursing schools to get into and offer accredited nursing degree programs. Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs at these schools are typically less competitive than Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs at four-year institutions.

Though both degree pathways can be challenging, ADN programs can be completed in a shorter time and on a part-time basis. Some students consider this one of the easiest nursing degrees. Both undergraduate programs enable you to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and begin work as an RN after graduating.

What Are the Admissions Requirements for South Carolina Nursing Schools?

Admission requirements vary depending on your chosen school and program. Even the easiest nursing programs to get into have certain requirements for grade point averages (GPA), Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) scores, and education prerequisites. This ensures that nursing students are well-prepared for rigorous coursework.

Nursing school prerequisites are generally science and math-focused. Prerequisite courses can include chemistry, microbiology, statistics, and anatomy and physiology. You can take many of these self-paced nursing prerequisites online.

Nursing Schools With the Highest Acceptance Rates in South Carolina

The following list features some of the best nursing schools with the highest acceptance rates. Some offer online programs while others are conducted wholly in person.

1. Trident Technical College

Trident Technical College (TTC) is a mid-sized public school in Charleston, SC. Its 65-credit ADN program can be completed in two years on a full-time basis. Nursing courses include pharmacology, complex health problems, and nursing management and leadership.

Prospective students first apply to Trident Technical College and complete general education requirements to be considered for its School of Nursing. TCC students must have a 2.0 GPA or higher to be eligible for the ADN program.

• Estimated tuition cost: $5,016 per year (in-state); $8,568 per year (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 100% (overall acceptance rate)
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

2. Technical College of the Lowcountry

Located in Beaufort, SC, the Technical College of the Lowcountry (TCL) has a 68-credit hour ADN program that full-time students can complete in five semesters. Nursing coursework is delivered on campus, and students gain hands-on clinical experience at healthcare facilities in Beaufort, Hampton, Colleton, and Jasper counties.

You must first enroll at TCL before applying to its nursing school. You will need to take prerequisite courses, such as English, psychology, and biology. TCL's School of Health Sciences has dedicated advisors to help students through the nursing program application process.

• Estimated tuition cost: $6,080 per year (in-state); $12,630 per year(out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 100% (overall acceptance rate)
• Accreditation: ACEN

3. Bob Jones University

Bob Jones University (BJU) is a private, nonprofit school based in Greenville, SC. BJU's traditional BSN program is designed for full-time students to complete in one year. Graduates of BJU's nursing program average a 98% NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate.

Prospective students first enroll at Bob Jones University and complete general education and nursing prerequisites. To be considered for its BSN program, students must complete their nursing courses with a final grade of C or higher, score proficiently on the TEAS, and maintain an overall GPA of 2.75 or higher.

• Estimated tuition cost: $22,950 per year (in-state and out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 87% (overall acceptance rate)
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

4. University of South Carolina

The University of South Carolina (USC) offers various nursing degree options, from undergraduate to graduate levels, such as its Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program. USC's College of Nursing has a traditional BSN program that can be completed in four years.

To be considered for the BSN program, you must enroll at USC as a pre-nursing major. After two years of general education and nursing prerequisites, you will be eligible to transfer to upper-division nursing courses.

• Estimated tuition cost: $12,228 per year (in-state); $36,988 per year (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 80% (overall acceptance rate)
• Accreditation: CCNE

5. Coastal Carolina University

Located in Conway, SC, Coastal Carolina University (CCU) is a mid-sized public school with a hybrid RN to BSN program. Nursing students attend on-campus classes two Saturdays per month and complete additional coursework online. CCU's program emphasizes community health, nursing research, and leadership.

To be eligible for the RN to BSN program, prospective students must have an active RN license and have graduated from an accredited nursing program with a C grade or better in all nursing courses.

• Estimated tuition cost: $11,640 per year (in-state); $29,926 per year (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 79% (overall acceptance rate)
• Accreditation: CCNE

How We Rank Schools

We consider acceptance rates, program reputation, and accreditation status when ranking our featured schools. In this article, those with the highest acceptance rates rank the highest. When program-specific data are not available, we list the school's overall acceptance rate.

• Accreditation: All listed nursing programs are accredited by the ACEN or CCNE and approved by the South Carolina State Board of Nursing.
• Acceptance rates: Schools must have relatively high acceptance rates; for nursing programs, this is generally 50% and above.
• Program reputation: A nursing program's quality is determined by the number of experienced faculty, lab and classroom capacity, standard curriculum, NCLEX-RN pass rates, and job placement post graduation.

What Can I Expect From a Nursing Degree Program?

Nursing degree program curricula vary according to degree type and specific school. Most programs include nursing theory coursework, simulation lab skills practice, and hands-on clinical experiences in healthcare settings.

While most nursing courses are delivered on campus, there are increasingly more opportunities through online RN programs. If you already hold your ADN and would like to earn your bachelor's degree, you can check out the easiest RN to BSN programs online.

FAQs About the Easiest Nursing Programs To Get Into

Here we answer commonly asked questions about nursing programs, from GPA minimums to career outlooks after graduation.

Is Nursing School Hard?

Nursing is an intensive profession, and the pathway to becoming an RN is rigorous yet rewarding. Nursing programs consist of many science and math classes, like microbiology, chemistry, algebra, and statistics. Many consider these advanced courses to be some of the hardest subjects in nursing.

There is help along the way. Schools offer support to nursing students through tutors, study groups, faculty mentors, and online resources.

Read More: Can I Be a Nurse If I Am Bad at Math?

What College in South Carolina Has the Easiest Nursing Program To Get Into?

There is no simple answer to this question, as admissions vary each year. Nursing school admissions data is not always released from each school every year.

That being said, Trident Technical College has a ''first qualified, first admitted'' admissions policy which allows many students access to its nursing programs. TTC is also the largest provider of nursing education in the region, providing more opportunities for prospective students.

How Much Are Nurses Paid in South Carolina?

The Economic Research Institute (ERI) reports that the average annual salary for South Carolina RNs is $92,130. Salaries range between $64,215 and $112,122 per year.

How much you will earn as a nurse depends on your degree level and professional experience. A nurse practitioner with an MSN will earn a higher salary than a registered nurse with an ADN. Regardless of your degree level, there is a high demand for professional nurses, and thus the nursing career outlook for South Carolina remains strong.

What Is the Hardest Nursing School To Get Into in South Carolina?

Though school admissions fluctuate from year to year, Clemson University (Clemson) consistently has one of the most difficult nursing schools to get into. It recently reported a 5% acceptance rate for one recent cycle.

Clemson has a direct-admit policy, which means incoming freshmen apply directly to the nursing program (versus other traditional BSN pathways). There are no other opportunities for Clemson students to earn their BSN if they are not accepted directly into the program as freshmen.

What Nursing Schools Accept 2.5 GPA?

There are many South Carolina schools that accept a 2.5 GPA. (Some even accept a 2.0 GPA.) Those already featured on our list include Trident Technical College and Technical College of the Lowcountry.

Many colleges and universities have a holistic approach to the admissions process. This means the admissions team considers your potential beyond your academic achievements. Community service, volunteering at healthcare facilities, and extracurricular activities help boost your application's appeal.

Easiest Nursing Schools To Get Into Near You

There are many pathways for you to earn your nursing degree. We invite you to connect with Learn.org's partner institutions to learn more about program options and get started on your nursing education journey.