5 Physical Sciences colleges in South Carolina with strong social mobility outcomes. Average earnings: $61,251.
Most rankings ignore accessibility. We flipped the model: first, filter for schools that actually enroll and graduate low-income students (60th percentile+ mobility). Then rank by earnings. These 6 Physical Sciences programs made the cut.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina leads the rankings, producing Physical Sciences graduates earning $72,085 while maintaining a 78th percentile mobility score. Across this list, average graduate earnings reach $63,057—demonstrating that schools serving low-income students can compete on outcomes, not just access.
Winthrop University serves 39% Pell Grant recipients—students from families earning under $60,000—while still producing graduates earning $47,185. The best mobility schools deliver a double win: Clemson University exemplifies this with 90th percentile mobility and just an 8.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' affordability category.
Earnings: $72,085 | Mobility: 78th percentile
38.6% Pell students with $47,185 earnings
8.3% payment burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
20.9% family burden | Challenging - payment 18-25% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Graduate Earnings | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS | Mobility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Clemson UniversityPublic | $71,513 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,463 | Challenging | 89th percentile mobility |
| #2 | Wofford CollegePrivate | $68,964 | — | — | — | — | 85th percentile mobility |
| #3 | $62,177 | $21,500 | Excellent | $31,393 | Manageable | 94th percentile mobility | |
| #4 | College Of CharlestonPublic | $56,416 | $23,250 | Excellent | $35,971 | Challenging | 73th percentile mobility |
| #5 | Winthrop UniversityPublic | $47,185 | $26,975 | Good | $23,888 | Challenging | 74th percentile mobility |
Our social mobility rankings answer: "Which schools deliver the best outcomes for students from low-income backgrounds?"
This is not simply "which schools admit the most low-income students" — it's which schools both serve low-income students and deliver strong earnings outcomes.
Data based on May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
