Law Schools in South Carolina
2 ABA-approved schools · ABA disclosures · updated November 2, 2026
South Carolina has two ABA-approved law schools: one public and one private. Median LSAT scores for the class that entered in fall 2025 run from 154 at Charleston School of Law to 162 at the University of South Carolina.
South Carolina law schools compared
| School | Median LSAT | Median GPA | Accepted | Tuition | Bar pass | Lawyer jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law Columbia · Public | 162 | 3.67 | 29.9% | $24,022 | 90% | 88.9% |
| Charleston School of Law Charleston · Private | 154 | 3.51 | 50.2% | $49,684 | 77.4% | 76.2% |
Tuition is full-time tuition and fees for 2025-26, at the in-state rate for public schools. Bar pass is the first-time rate on 2025 exams in every state where graduates sat; lawyer jobs is the share of 2025 graduates in full-time, long-term jobs requiring bar passage. Each school's page has the detail.
The University of South Carolina had the highest first-time bar passage rate, 90%. The University of South Carolina placed the largest share of 2025 graduates in lawyer jobs, 88.9%. The University of South Carolina was the hardest to get into, accepting 29.9% of applicants. The University of South Carolina charged the least, $24,022.
The South Carolina bar exam
In 2025, 81.1% of graduates of ABA-approved law schools who took the South Carolina bar exam for the first time passed, as the ABA reports it. That is the yardstick each school's rate is compared with when its graduates sit here.
Graduates of these schools took it most often in 2025 (schools with at least 10 first-time takers here):
| School | Takers | Passed | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Carolina | 158 | 144 | 91.1% |
| Charleston School of Law | 128 | 105 | 82% |
Out-of-state schools that send graduates to South Carolina
Each school reports the three states where most of its employed graduates work. These schools outside South Carolina count it among their top three:
- Elon University (NC): 5 employed 2025 graduates
- University of Georgia (GA): 5 employed 2025 graduates
- Campbell University (NC): 3 employed 2025 graduates
- Georgia State University (GA): 2 employed 2025 graduates
- Inter American University of Puerto Rico (PR): 2 employed 2025 graduates
Practicing in South Carolina: South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure · South Carolina procedural guides.
Check your own numbers against these schools with the LSAT and GPA school finder.
Frequently asked questions
How many law schools are in South Carolina?
South Carolina has 2 ABA-approved law schools: Charleston School of Law, University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law.
Which South Carolina law school has the highest bar passage rate?
University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law, where 90% of first-time takers passed in 2025.
What is the cheapest law school in South Carolina?
University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law, at $24,022 a year in full-time tuition and fees for 2025-26 (in-state rate).
What is the hardest law school to get into in South Carolina?
By acceptance rate, University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law, which accepted 29.9% of applicants for fall 2025, with a median LSAT of 162.
What is the South Carolina bar exam pass rate?
In 2025, 81.1% of first-time takers from ABA-approved law schools passed the South Carolina bar exam, as the ABA reports it.