Best AI Degree Programs in South Carolina: 2026 Rankings
32 AI and machine learning programs at 15 schools in South Carolina.
Updated
The strongest AI programs in South Carolina on this list are led by University of South Carolina-Columbia, College of Charleston, and Citadel Military College of South Carolina. Schools are ordered using our ranking for South Carolina, drawn from 32 programs at 15 schools.
Best AI programs in South Carolina
Rank
School
Location
1
University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia, SC
2
College of Charleston
Charleston, SC
3
Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Charleston, SC
4
Charleston Southern University
Charleston, SC
5
Benedict College
Columbia, SC
6
University of South Carolina-Aiken
Aiken, SC
7
Wofford College
Spartanburg, SC
8
Bob Jones University
Greenville, SC
9
Coastal Carolina University
Conway, SC
10
Anderson University
Anderson, SC
11
Claflin University
Orangeburg, SC
12
Coker University
Hartsville, SC
13
Columbia College
Columbia, SC
14
Furman University
Greenville, SC
15
Presbyterian College
Clinton, SC
School names are plain text in the table. Profiles and write-ups are below when available.
How we ranked this list
We order schools on this page using our ranking method, with more weight on affordability (30%), student outcomes (25%), curriculum (25%). Figures draw from published school tuition and U.S. Department of Education outcomes data when available. Schools cannot pay for a higher rank. About 82% of programs on this list have full scoring data. Read the full ranking methodology.
Top schools in South Carolina
Each school lists a quick overview (program, estimated cost, format) plus a short program summary with links to official school pages and related program paths. Tuition figures are published estimates—confirm current totals on the school’s program page before you apply.
1
University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia, SC
Graduate Certificate in Artificial Intelligence
Overview
Availability: Varies
Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
Credits: Confirm on school site
Best for: Students comparing this specialty on cost and delivery
Program summary
Start with University of South Carolina-Columbia if this ranking angle matches your goals. Named as an AI or ML degree—use the course list to separate theory-heavy terms from tool-focused applied semesters.
Bachelor's in Data Science / Artificial Intelligence
Overview
Availability: On campus
Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
Credits: Confirm on school site
Best for: Data professionals adding an AI/ML concentration
Program summary
Start with College of Charleston if this ranking angle matches your goals. It’s built as a dedicated undergraduate AI major—confirm direct-admit rules and whether students can transfer in after a general first year. Most of the work is on campus—labs and cohort access are part of the draw. AI/ML is a concentration on a data science or analytics bachelor's—not a standalone AI degree.
BS in Computer Science — Concentration in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Overview
Availability: Varies
Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
Credits: Confirm on school site
Best for: CS students specializing in AI/ML within a bachelor's
Program summary
Students looking at Charleston will find Citadel Military College of South Carolina on this list. This is a specialization on a larger program, not a standalone AI diploma; the parent major still drives required courses and campus-visit rules. AI is a CS concentration—not a standalone AI bachelor's.
Home unit: Department of Cyber and Computer Sciences. Course map: curriculum bulletin.
Best for: Students comparing this specialty on cost and delivery (Charleston Southern University)
Program summary
Most of the work is on campus—labs and cohort access are part of the draw. Plan on roughly 4 years. This is a broader degree, not a standalone AI program.
Best for: Managers who want AI literacy inside an MBA
Program summary
Benedict College sits in Columbia. The AI content is framed for managers—strategy, tooling literacy, and applied use cases—more than research-heavy CS theory. AI is an MBA concentration—not a standalone AI master's.
Home unit: Tyrone Adam Burroughs School of Business. Details: program page.
Best for: Managers who want AI literacy inside an MBA (University of South Carolina-Aiken)
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CD)
Program summary
University of South Carolina-Aiken's program is the one profiled here. The AI content is framed for managers—strategy, tooling literacy, and applied use cases—more than research-heavy CS theory. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives. AI is an MBA concentration—not a standalone AI master's.
Best for: Students comparing this specialty on cost and delivery (Wofford College)
Program summary
Students looking at Spartanburg will find Wofford College on this list. Most of the work is on campus—labs and cohort access are part of the draw. Plan on roughly 9 semester. This is a broader degree, not a standalone AI program.
Best for: Students comparing this specialty on cost and delivery (Bob Jones University)
Program summary
Bob Jones University sits in Greenville. Most of the work is on campus—labs and cohort access are part of the draw. Plan on roughly 4 years. This is a broader degree, not a standalone AI program.
Best for: Students comparing this specialty on cost and delivery (Coastal Carolina University)
Program summary
Coastal Carolina University is based in Conway. Most of the work is on campus—labs and cohort access are part of the draw. Plan on roughly 4 years. This is a broader degree, not a standalone AI program.
Best for: Managers who want AI literacy inside an MBA (Anderson University)
NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-CD)
Program summary
Start with Anderson University if this ranking angle matches your goals. The AI content is framed for managers—strategy, tooling literacy, and applied use cases—more than research-heavy CS theory. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives. AI is an MBA concentration—not a standalone AI master's.
On this state ranking, University of South Carolina-Columbia, College of Charleston, and Citadel Military College of South Carolina appear near the top. We list 15 schools offering AI programs in South Carolina. Confirm format and admissions on each school site.
How many AI programs are in South Carolina?
About 32 AI programs at 15 schools show up for South Carolina on this list. Confirm current offerings on each school site.
Online or campus?
Both can appear on state lists. Check each program’s delivery format and any required campus visits.
How does AIDegrees rank these programs?
We order schools on this page using our ranking method, with more weight on affordability (30%), student outcomes (25%), curriculum (25%). Figures draw from published school tuition and U.S. Department of Education outcomes data when available. Schools cannot pay for a higher rank. About 82% of programs on this list have full scoring data. See the full ranking methodology for weights and data sources.
State list or overall ranking?
Use both—state lists help with in-state tuition and local networks; overall lists compare research strength and online options.
