Accelerated Online Bachelor's Programs in South Carolina 2026

South Carolina students can finish college much quicker by enrolling in an accelerated bachelor's degree online. This is one of the most viable ways to reduce the time and money spent obtaining this important credential.

Accelerated online bachelor's degree programs make it possible to earn degrees in either online or hybrid formats, in less than the traditional four years. Online programs offer many conveniences, especially if you can secure financial aid to make them affordable. Continue reading to learn more about accelerated online degrees in or near South Carolina.

How Long Does It Take To Earn an Online Bachelor's Degree in South Carolina?

Online degrees can take anywhere from two to four years to complete depending on the institution, program type, and whether you transfer credits from other schools. Your chances of completing a degree in the shortest amount of time will increase if you select a program that allows you to take summer courses or apply credits obtained from Advanced Placement (AP) courses in high school. Motivated online learners can finally identify the quickest way to get a bachelor's degree by enrolling in one of several accelerated online bachelor's degree programs.

Accelerated Online Bachelor's Degree Programs in South Carolina

Check out this list of South Carolina universities, which grant bachelor's degrees in less than four years. These schools have valid accreditations, reasonable tuition rates, and plenty of online/hybrid course offerings. Explore the fastest online degrees that these institutions have to offer.

1. University of South Carolina - Columbia

The University of South Carolina (USC) has several online academic programs designed to help students graduate faster. This includes the ''2+2'' teaching program, granting a Bachelor of Education (BEd) in three years by beginning most of the coursework at USC. There are other academic concentrations as well, including some that operate within a hybrid format.

Time to completion: Three years

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

2. Coastal Carolina University

Coastal Carolina University has a ''Degree in Three'' program, which allows undergraduates to shave a year off the time it takes to complete their education. It also offers a ''Get More in Four'' program for high achievers who wish to get a master's degree while finishing their bachelor's. The university promises to deliver these programs with small classes, one-on-one advising, and many other services available to in-person students.

Time to completion: Three years

Accreditation: SACSCOC

3. College of Charleston

College of Charleston has multiple accelerated learning programs, allowing students to finish a bachelor's degree and get a head start on graduate programs. It also lets you earn two bachelor's degrees at once with its dual degree programs. Future healthcare administrators can earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Public Health while earning a Master of Public Health (MPH).

Time to completion: Three years

Accreditation: SACSCOC

4. Charleston Southern University

Charleston Southern University offers fully online degrees at an accelerated pace, featuring seven-week courses. These usually take 24 months to complete through asynchronous formats. Tuition is the same competitive rate for in-state and out-of-state students and includes the costs of course materials.

Time to completion: 24 months

Accreditation: SACSCOC

5. University of South Carolina - Aiken

The University of South Carolina - Aiken has two ways to accelerate degree completion. You can enroll in the Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Nursing (BSN) program or earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in the time it takes to earn an undergraduate degree.

Time to completion: 12 months

Accreditation: SACSCOC

6. Limestone University

This university grants the opportunity to earn both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in less time than it would take to complete a traditional undergraduate degree. Its ''2+1'' program allows you to do that in the fields of business administration, education, teacher leadership, and health informatics. Online students can take courses lasting seven and a half weeks to obtain multiple degrees in just three years.

Time to completion: Three years

Accreditation: SACSCOC

7. South Carolina State University

South Carolina State University (SCSU) grants a total of six fully online accelerated degrees in the social sciences, addiction studies, and professional writing. This includes a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in political science. SCSU has received recognition from EdSmart as having one of the best online colleges in 2024.

Time to completion: Three years

Accreditation: SACSCOC

Other Accelerated Online Bachelor's Degrees in the U.S.

There are also many other American online colleges, which allow South Carolina residents to enroll in their fast-track programs. These accredited schools offer 100% online courses or hybrid delivery.

Liberty University

Liberty University offers convenient online delivery, which includes course sequencing to help you complete degrees quicker than most on-campus alternatives. Liberty promotes this as a way to earn an MBA degree faster, with concentrations in accounting, information technology, and data analysis.

Time to completion: Varies by program type

Accreditation: SACSCOC

Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) admits students from anywhere in the country to one of six fast-track degree fields. You can earn graduate credit (paying undergraduate tuition) and earn your bachelor's degree faster. The nonprofit college also mentions that you could obtain your bachelor's education within two years if you transfer credits from another institution.

Time to completion: Two to four years

Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

Capella University

Capella's online education programs come in various self-paced formats. Its FlexPath lets working students set their learning pace, which can be as fast or part-time as they wish.

Capella reports that about 25% of enrolled students complete their education within 22 months. This applies to bachelor's degrees in fields like computer science, business, public health, psychology, and nursing.

Time to completion: Between 22 months and four years

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

How We Rank Schools

The schools on this list must meet certain criteria for inclusion. Here's how we rank the best bachelor's degrees online, according to accreditation status, program length, reputation, and tuition expenses.

• Accreditation: These universities undergo rigorous accreditation reviews to ensure you receive a valid degree.
• Program length: The program should be faster to complete than a traditional four-year degree.
• Program reputation and quality: This list only includes reputable programs with professors who offer a high-quality learning experience in all online classes.
• Tuition cost: We identify only the most affordable distance education schools with lower tuition rates.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

How To Accelerate Your Bachelor’s Degree in South Carolina

One benefit to accelerating your bachelor’s degree is the amount of time that it saves. Instead of the standard four years, you’ll only need to study for one to three years if you expedite your degree. This will give you a head start over your peers when it comes to career advancement.

There are many ways to quickly earn a diploma in South Carolina. Below, we’ll discuss a few of them:

• Take self-paced online courses: Online courses providers, like Study.com, offer flexible online classes to help you accelerate your degree. These courses are accessible anytime, anywhere. As a result, you’ll be able to complete more degree requirements quickly if you take your courses online.
• Enroll in summer courses: If you want to graduate early, you should try to earn college credit outside the standard spring and fall semesters. You can do this by taking summer classes. This will help you quickly complete your major’s requirements and get your diploma in less than four years.
• Apply to an accelerated degree program: There are plenty of schools in South Carolina that offer accelerated degree programs. If you enroll in one of them, you’ll be able to get your bachelor’s degree in two to three years. Some schools even offer programs that allow you to get both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in just four years.

FAQs About the Fastest Bachelor's Degrees in South Carolina

Please review these three frequently asked questions regarding online education in South Carolina. They address issues like degree completion times, program affordability, and whether it's possible to finish school in just one year.

Are There Any One-Year Online Bachelor's Degrees in South Carolina?

The programs listed may take somewhat longer than a single year, but it is possible to obtain a one-year bachelor's degree online if you utilize transfer credits effectively. All the aforementioned programs will take less than a year to complete if you already possess an associate degree in your field.

What Is the Cheapest Online Bachelor's Degree in South Carolina?

The cheapest degree may depend on your college major, and how fast you proceed through the program. However, we've listed several of the cheapest, yet still reputable, options in South Carolina. The most affordable among them would be the University of South Carolina - Aiken.

Can Financial Aid Be Used for Accelerated Degree Programs?

Yes, you can apply for financial aid even if you are enrolled in an accelerated bachelor’s program. However, you can only receive federal aid if your school is accredited.

But, overall, you are eligible to receive the same kind of financial help that students in traditional bachelor’s programs get. This means that you can apply for federal loans, Pell Grants, and scholarships.

Do You Need Previous College Credits to Enroll in an Accelerated Program?

Prior credits are not necessarily required to enter an accelerated bachelor’s program. Typically, these programs have similar admission requirements to a traditional program. However, you should still check your program’s policies just to be sure.

Also, regardless if you need them or not, we still encourage you to earn college credit before enrolling in any university. This is because they can significantly shorten the amount of time you need to get your degree.

Explore Online Bachelor's Degrees

You can learn even more about affordable online bachelor's degrees by exploring the rest of this website. Nobody has to go into debt or spend years finishing college when there are viable ways to earn undergraduate degrees, master's degrees, and even doctoral degrees through online learning.