South Carolina Graphic Design Schools: Most Expensive to Least Expensive

South Carolina is home to 75 Title IV degree-granting colleges and universities. Many of these schools offer excellent programs for artists and designers—including graphic designers. Just a few include Clemson University, University of South Carolina, and Coker College. These colleges, along with some of state’s other Title IV schools, may be expensive, but because they have Title IV status, they are eligible for federal financial aid programs.

To become a Title IV school, an institution must meet five requirements established by the U.S. Department of Education. Title IV schools must (1) have accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, (2) be business for at least 2 years prior to applying for status, (3) sign a participation agreement with the Department, (4) grant an associate's degree or higher, and (5) offer a program of at least 300 clock hours in length.

To compare the cost of South Carolina’s Title IV schools to others across the state (and the nation), take a look at the most expensive to least expensive schools below and what you can expect to pay. Keep in mind that resident tuition is usually lower than non-resident tuition, and graduate students often pay more per year than undergraduates do.
 
Most Expensive South Carolina Graphic Design Schools

Erskine College, Due West - Tuition Information:  Undergraduate $27,725 for the 2012 – 2013 school year. Tuition does not include fees of $905 per year.

Coker College, Hartsville - Tuition Information: Undergraduate $22,200 for the 2011 – 2012 school year.

North Greenville University, Tigerville - Tuition Information:  Undergraduate $22,100 for the 2012 - 2013 school year.

Charleston Southern University, Charleston - Tuition Information:  Undergraduate $20,600 for the 2011 – 2012 school year.

Anderson University, Anderson - Tuition Information:  Undergraduate $20,020 for the 2012 – 2013 school year. Tuition does not include fees of $1,710 per year.

Least Expensive South Carolina Graphic Design Schools

Bob Jones University, Greenville - Tuition Information:  Undergraduate $12,480 for the 2012 – 2013 school year.

Clemson University, Clemson - Tuition Information:  Undergraduate residents $11,524, nonresidents $27,682; graduate residents $8,932, nonresidents $18,538 for the 2011 – 2012 school year.  Tuition does not include undergraduate fees of $782 or graduate fees of $736 per year.

Coastal Carolina University, Conway - Tuition Information:  Undergraduate residents $9,760, nonresidents $21,560 for the 2011 - 2012 school year.

Lander University, Greenwood - Tuition Information:  Undergraduate residents $9,504, nonresidents $17,976 for the 2011 – 2012 school year.

University of South Carolina, Spartanburg - Tuition Information: Undergraduate residents $9,146, nonresidents $18,572 for the 2011 – 2012 school year.  Tuition does not include fees of $450 per year.

South Carolina Graphic Design Scene

According to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics report (March 27, 2012), South Carolina is home to 15,130 artists and designers—1,780 are graphic designers. The average salary for graphic designers is $40,500, up from $34,420 in 2002. However, senior designers may average as much as $60,000 per year, design directors may average $95,000 per year, and independent designers typically average $57,000 per year.

Advertising is the most popular choice for aspiring graphic designers, but the computer systems design industry is expected to experience the most employment growth for graphic designers. Employment growth in computer systems design is expected to average 61 percent for the 2010-2020 decade. At 27 percent, the next fastest growing field for graphic designers is specialized design services. At 17 percent employment growth, advertising and public is the third fastest growing industry for graphic designers.

South Carolina is home hundreds of technology firms and advertising agencies, as well as a wide variety of design firms (web, game, and more). Just a few employment options include Heineman Design, Ink Haus, Studio Nudge, Alive Media and Design, Chapter1 Design, and Splash Omni Media.