Compare costs, NCLEX pass rates, and outcomes for every BSN option in the Greenville area.
As Prisma Health and Bon Secours St. Francis expand across the Upstate, which nursing program in Greenville actually puts you on a hospital’s hiring list? The metro’s demand for BSN-prepared nurses is rising faster than many regional schools can graduate them.
Within commuting distance, you’ll find traditional four-year BSN tracks, accelerated programs for career changers, and RN-to-BSN bridges. But costs, net price, and NCLEX performance vary widely, and choosing a weak program can stall a career.
In a market where major employers prefer a BSN, a school’s clinical partnerships and first-time NCLEX pass rate matter more than its name. Those metrics determine who gets hired, not just who graduates.
These rankings combine net price, graduation rates, and early-career earnings to spotlight the strongest BSN programs in and around Greenville. The following schools stand out for their value, student outcomes, and relevance to Upstate South Carolina.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Bob Jones University | Greenville, SC | ~$17,000/yr (est.) | Faith-based learners in Greenville | |
Bob Jones University, located in Greenville, offers a faith-based BSN that integrates professional nursing skills with a Christian worldview. The program features six semesters of clinical experience and an NCLEX-RN pass rate of 98.0%, well above national and state averages. Students can opt for a fast-track path completing in 3 to 3.5 years, and concentrations in Medical Missions or Public Health Nursing add specialized focus.
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| #2 | Clemson University | Clemson, SC | $20,000 – $25,000/yr | High ROI for public university graduates | |
Clemson University’s BSN program combines a rigorous eight-semester curriculum with extensive hands-on clinical rotations. The program consistently posts NCLEX pass rates above national averages and provides early exposure to nursing concepts through high-fidelity simulation labs. Graduates see strong earnings, with a median of $71,513 ten years after entry, and the institution’s 86.6% graduation rate reflects strong student support.
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| #3 | Citadel Military College of South Carolina | Charleston, SC | $13,000 – $39,000/yr | Military-connected students seeking leadership | |
The Citadel Military College of South Carolina offers a BSN rooted in leadership development and military tradition. The cadet program admits 24 students yearly with a 3.0 GPA requirement and includes foundational through advanced nursing coursework. For transfer and adult learners, a hybrid evening pathway provides the same degree in five semesters. Graduates benefit from a median 10-year earnings of $72,085 and two National League of Nursing Center of Excellence designations.
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| #4 | University of South Carolina | Columbia, SC | $23,000/yr | ||
The University of South Carolina in Columbia delivers a top-performing BSN program, with NCLEX pass rates in the top 1% nationally. Students learn in a state-of-the-art simulation lab and complete clinicals at major regional medical centers. The College of Nursing holds two NLN Center of Excellence designations and was ranked among the top 20 graduate nursing programs in 2026, underscoring faculty expertise and resources.
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| #5 | Anderson University | Anderson, SC | $24,000/yr | ||
Anderson University in Anderson, SC, offers a Christ-centered traditional BSN that spans four years and 123 credit hours. Students practice in a modern simulation center and cadaver lab, with clinical placements in Upstate South Carolina facilities. The program emphasizes holistic care, ethical decision-making, and leadership training, setting graduates up for both immediate practice and future graduate study.
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| #6 | Spartanburg Community College | Spartanburg, SC | ~$2,000/yr (est.) | ||
Spartanburg Community College’s Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is an ACEN-accredited, campus-based program that prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam. With a low net price of just $2,405 and median debt of only $6,500, it offers exceptional affordability and ROI; graduates earn a median of $37,097 ten years on. The curriculum covers holistic care across the lifespan in diverse clinical settings.
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| #7 | York Technical College | Rock Hill, SC | ~$6,000/yr (est.) | ||
York Technical College in Rock Hill, SC, provides an ACEN-accredited ADN program that emphasizes direct client care and critical nursing competencies. The campus-based format prepares students for NCLEX-RN licensure and entry-level hospital or community positions. Graduates have a median debt of $7,000 and earn $37,257 after ten years, making this a budget-friendly pathway into nursing.
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| #8 | Coastal Carolina University | Conway, SC | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | ||
Coastal Carolina University’s BSN program in Conway, SC, combines a liberal arts foundation with evidence-based nursing practice. The program is ACEN accredited and requires 120 credit hours for graduation. Students complete clinical experiences in diverse healthcare settings and are supported by a faculty-to-student mentoring model. While graduation rates are lower than some peers, the program maintains a focus on patient safety and professional ethics.
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| #9 | Horry-Georgetown Technical College | Conway, SC | ~$4,000/yr (est.) | ||
Horry-Georgetown Technical College’s ADN program is an affordable, ACEN-accredited pathway to registered nursing. The campus-based curriculum at Georgetown and Grand Strand campuses requires 68 credits and includes general education plus nursing theory and clinicals. Admission is competitive, with a minimum 2.75 GPA and TEAS score of 75. Graduates have a median debt of $14,250 and can expect strong job placement in the region.
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| #10 | University of South Carolina-Upstate | Spartanburg, SC | ~$14,000/yr (est.) | ||
USC Upstate in Spartanburg delivers a hybrid BSN through the Mary Black College of Nursing, blending in-person and online learning. The 126-credit program features a 97% first-time NCLEX pass rate and clinical rotations at regional medical centers. Students have access to a dedicated Simulation Center and can pursue a dual degree in biology. With a net price of $13,557, it offers strong value for Upstate students.
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Sticker tuition can be misleading, because most nursing students receive grants and scholarships that lower the actual amount they pay. The net price listed below is the institution-wide average cost after all federal, state, and institutional aid is applied, providing a more realistic picture of out-of-pocket expense. All ten schools are public institutions, and while costs are generally modest, median debt still ranges widely.
| School | Degree | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price (After Aid) | Median Graduate Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trident Technical College | Associate | $5,050 | $8,620 | $1,406 | $13,029 |
| Florence-Darlington Technical College | Associate | $4,900 | $6,772 | $2,004 | $12,250 |
| Spartanburg Community College | Associate | $6,223 | $10,135 | $2,405 | $6,500 |
| Horry-Georgetown Technical College | Associate | $6,778 | $10,978 | $4,159 | $14,250 |
| Midlands Technical College | Associate | $6,300 | $14,700 | $4,647 | $12,000 |
| Aiken Technical College | Associate | $6,172 | $7,924 | $4,807 | $12,250 |
| Central Carolina Technical College | Associate | $6,594 | $9,016 | $5,571 | $9,977 |
| York Technical College | Associate | $8,396 | $13,340 | $5,931 | $7,000 |
| Piedmont Technical College | Associate | $5,675 | $6,923 | $11,366 | $15,000 |
| Francis Marion University | Bachelor's | $11,170 | $21,544 | $11,386 | $27,000 |
First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates are a critical indicator of a nursing program's quality. They reflect how well a school prepares students for the licensure exam, and consistent performance above state and national averages signals strong instruction and student support.
While detailed program-level data for every Greenville-area BSN program isn't compiled here, the South Carolina Board of Nursing's annual reports provide the most authoritative numbers. Based on available figures:
A pass rate above 80% is generally considered solid, but many top-tier programs consistently exceed 90%. Anderson University's 98.57% in 2024 is exceptional. For other programs like Bob Jones University, Arizona College of Nursing-Greenville, Clemson University, USC Upstate, and North Greenville University, first-time NCLEX data can be found in the South Carolina Board of Nursing's annual reports. Contact these schools directly or consult the board's website to see how their graduates have performed in recent years.
When evaluating any nursing school, compare its NCLEX results against the South Carolina average. A program that routinely outperforms the state average (94.7% in 2024) is likely delivering a strong curriculum. National averages can shift year to year (91.2% in 2024, 87.5% in 2025), so context matters. Look for consistency over multiple years rather than focusing on a single data point. Even a small dip in a program's pass rate can signal curricular changes or shifts in student readiness, so it's wise to track multiple years.
Nursing students in Greenville have multiple paths to a BSN. Compare the traditional four-year program, accelerated tracks for career changers, and online RN-to-BSN options for working nurses.
The nursing job market in Greenville continues to expand alongside the region’s healthcare footprint, creating steady demand for new BSN graduates. According to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data for the Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin metropolitan area, registered nurses earned a median annual wage of $79,580 in 2024. Wages ranged from $66,020 at the 10th percentile to $98,290 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the broad earning potential across experience levels and roles.1
While program-level earnings for individual nursing schools are not yet published through the College Scorecard, the area’s total RN employment of 9,330 positions (as of 2023)2 signals a deep labor pool. Major health systems like Prisma Health and Bon Secours anchor the local market, offering diverse clinical settings for new graduates. This employer concentration supports consistent hiring and professional growth opportunities for BSN-prepared nurses in the Upstate.
To practice as a registered nurse in Greenville, SC, you must complete a five-step process: finish prerequisite courses, earn admission to an approved nursing program, log required clinical hours, pass the NCLEX-RN, and obtain a license from the South Carolina Board of Nursing. This section outlines each requirement, from typical prerequisites like anatomy and microbiology to the state's background check and licensure fees.
Choosing the right nursing program means clarifying key details like salary expectations, NCLEX performance, and program flexibility. Below you will find concise answers to the most frequently asked questions about nursing schools in Greenville, SC.
Beyond the top-ranked programs, the Upstate South Carolina region and beyond host numerous nursing schools offering associate and bachelor's pathways. This directory lists additional BSN and ADN programs across the state, presented alphabetically for quick scanning. Use the filters to narrow by program format or location to find the right fit for your nursing education.
