Will a DNP open up new nursing employment options for you in South Carolina? The answer to that is a resounding “Yes!” Healthcare employers in the Palmetto State love graduates of DNP programs in South Carolina because they know these nurses have advanced expertise in specialty areas, such as clinical practice, organizational skills, and leadership. South Carolina DNPs earn compensation in line with their educational investment, with annual salaries that average $125,970. In 10 years, there will be 61 percent more employment opportunities for DNPs than there are today. Find out more about how a DNP diploma can propel you to the top of the nursing profession with this guide to the 5 best DNP programs in South Carolina.
Based on our Ranking Methodology, listed below are the 5 Best Doctor of Nursing Practice programs in South Carolina (Online & Campus) for 2025.
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Advanced Practice Nursing and Palliative Care
BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the BSN-to-DNP program, you must have an unencumbered, active license to practice as an RN in the state where you will complete practicums and have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a nationally accredited nursing program by the initial date of enrollment. Applicants with a cumulative and nursing GPA of 3.0 or better are preferred. You must submit official transcripts from any college or university you have attended, a resume or curriculum vitae, two professional references, and an admission essay.
Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis for the DNP program. Therefore, candidates are encouraged to apply early. You must complete an application through NursingCAS and a separate supplemental university application.
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: Master’s-prepared registered nurses can earn a DNP at the Medical University of South Carolina through the school’s fully online MSN-to-DNP program. The program has two start dates annually and offers two concentrations to specialize in: Advanced Practice Nursing or Palliative Care.
The MSN-to-DNP in Advanced Practice Nursing is designed for currently practicing advanced practice registered nurses who want to attain a terminal degree and further clinical practice. The Palliative Care specialty focuses on care of patients with progressive, life-threatening illnesses and emphasizes respect for patients and families in this transitional time of their lives. Post-master’s students who choose to pursue the Palliative Care pathway participate in a week-long Palliative Care Advanced Practice Provider Externship. The externship is an immersion course led by nationally- and internationally-recognized palliative care experts.
MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Candidates desiring admission to the MSN-to-DNP program must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree and a Master of Science in Nursing degree from a nationally accredited program. Applicants must have a current APRN license with evidence of national certification in an advanced practice specialty. In addition to completing an online application, you must provide official transcripts for all post-secondary coursework you completed. Applicants with a cumulative GPA and nursing GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale are preferred.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• At the Medical University of South Carolina, your campus visits will include opportunities to learn and train in the MUSC Healthcare Simulation Center. The center is a state-of-the-art simulation center designed to allow students to practice real-world scenarios in a safe environment that supports and prepares for independent doctoral practice.Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Executive Healthcare Leadership
MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Clinical Expert and Executive Healthcare Leadership
BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Admission criteria for the post-bachelor's DNP program include the following. You must have a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from a nationally accredited program with a preferred cumulative GPA of 3.0. Candidates must provide three letters of reference, a personal goal statement, evidence of writing competence, and a current resume or CV. Additionally, proof of an unencumbered, active RN license and current BLS certification. If you plan to pursue the Adult-Gerontology ACNP pathway, you must also provide proof of current ACLS certification. AGACNP and FNP candidates must have 2,400 hours of work experience in ICU, medical/surgical, emergency, or critical care within the past 24 months. Executive Healthcare Leadership applicants must have 2,400 hours of work experience in a leadership role within the past five years.
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: The DNP program in South Carolina at USC offers two post-master's majors, Clinical Expert and Executive Healthcare Leadership. Both MSN-to-DNP programs are designed for full-time study.
The Clinical Expert post-master's program is a 33-credit pathway that can be completed in six semesters. The post-master's Executive Healthcare Leadership program requires 36-39 credits and takes seven semesters to complete. All MSN-to-DNP students must complete a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate clinical hours. The total number of clinical hours you need to earn the degree will be determined by a GAP analysis of the clinical hours you completed in your MSN program. You may be allowed to complete clinicals at your current place of employment if the outcomes of your DNP project can be supported there.
MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the MSN-to-DNP program at the University of South Carolina, you must possess a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing degree earned from nationally accredited programs. Applicants seeking admission to the Clinical Expert pathway must be certified, licensed, and practicing as an APRN with prescriptive authority. APRN applicants must have 2,400 hours of work experience completed within the past 24 months. Executive Healthcare Leadership applicants must have 2,000 hours of work experience in a leadership role over the past five years.
Additionally, applicants must have a cumulative undergraduate and graduate GPA of 3.0. You must provide evidence of writing competence through a written statement and answers to an essay question during an admissions interview and submit three letters of recommendation, a personal goal statement, and a current CV or professional resume.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• The DNP program in South Carolina at UNC is ranked as one of the best programs by U.S. News & World Report in its list of Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice!Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Advanced Practice and Executive Leadership
BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Admission to the BSN-to-DNP program requires having a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and one to two years of nursing experience. Candidates must have an active, unencumbered RN license, CPR certification, and a current immunization record by the start of the program. You must provide official transcripts from any college or university you have attended reflecting a 3.0 cumulative grade point average, two letters of recommendation, a professional resume, and a Personal Statement.
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: If you are a master’s-prepared RN, the MSN-to-DNP program in South Carolina at Anderson University is a great option. You can choose an Advanced Practice or Executive Leadership specialization. The post-master's DNP programs feature online classes and require campus visits during the first and last residency course semesters to meet with faculty and peers while working on the DNP Scholarly Project.
The Advanced Practice DNP program is a 39-credit pathway and includes 500 post-master's clinical hours. The Executive Leadership program requires completion of 42 credits and 800 post-master's clinical hours. The MSN-to-DNP program includes classes such as Advocacy in Healthcare Policy, Applied Informatics & Change Systems, and Organizational & Systems Leadership- Role Development. To align with The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (DNP Essentials), all DNP students must have a total of at least 1,000 post-bachelor's clinical hours. Therefore, if you did not complete enough clinical hours in your master’s nursing program, you will be required to earn additional hours to meet the requirements of the program.
MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Candidates for the MSN-to-DNP program must have a master’s degree in nursing from a nationally accredited nursing program and an overall nursing grade point average of 3.0 on all nursing coursework from any school. Applicants must have an Advanced Practice Certification. Additionally, you must provide two letters of recommendation, a personal statement, all post-secondary transcripts, and a professional resume, and complete an online application.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Anderson University reports graduates of its DNP programs in South Carolina consistently score exceptionally well on national certification exams. This factor is important to consider when choosing a school, as pass rates are a strong indicator of a program’s quality and strength.Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Family NP (primary care), Adult/Gerontology NP (primary care), Pediatric NP (primary care), and Health Systems Leadership
BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Applicants seeking admission to the BSN-to-DNP program at Clemson University begin by completing an online application. Candidates must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and a minimum of 600 clinical hours from their bachelor's program. You must provide official transcripts from all previous colleges or universities you have attended and have a cumulative college GPA of 3.25 or higher. Additionally, you must submit three letters of recommendation, a professional resume or CV, and a personal statement.
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: The MSN-to-DNP program is a 35-credit pathway offered in an online format. The curriculum is focused on leadership, healthcare policy, evidence-based practice, advocacy, expert clinical advanced nursing practices, and interprofessional collaboration. Classes in the post-master's DNP program include DNP Health Informatics, DNP Outcomes Management, DNP Evidence Integration, and DNP Leaders in Healthcare Systems. A GAP analysis of your master’s program clinical hours will determine the number of clinical hours you must complete in the MSN-to-DNP program.
MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Post-master's applicants for the DNP program must have a master's degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program, an unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse, and a current NP/CNS national certification. Candidates must also provide official transcripts reflecting a minimum college grade point average of 3.25 on a 4.0 grading scale, a curriculum vitae or professional resume, a personal statement, and three letters of recommendation.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• At Clemson University, students in the DNP programs are assigned a Program Coordinator as an advisor. The Graduate Student Services Coordinator and Program Coordinators will assist you with advisement throughout the program.Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the BSN-to-DNP program in South Carolina at Francis Marion University, you must hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing and show proof of a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. Candidates must complete a graduate admissions application, provide official post-secondary transcripts, and submit three letters of recommendation, an admission essay, a resume or CV, and proof of current RN license or BSN transcript.
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: The MSN-to-DNP program admits new students in the fall annually. Full-time students complete the program in one year. If you prefer a part-time plan of study, your faculty advisor can help develop a schedule for you.
The program is a 30-credit pathway that includes a minimum of 360 clinical hours. Some students may be required to take additional courses to meet clinical requirements, which is a total of 1,000 precepted post-baccalaureate hours. Students in the post-master's DNP program study in classes, including Doctoral Knowledge Development, The Role of Technology & Interprofessional Collaboration, and Doctoral Health Policy, Finance, & Leadership.
MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Applicants for the MSN-to-DNP program must provide official transcripts from all colleges or universities previously attended, three letters of recommendation, a CV or resume, an admission essay, and a graduate nursing application. To be considered, you must have a Master of Science in Nursing degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and a valid, unencumbered APRN license.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• At Francis Marion University, there are several opportunities for graduate nursing scholarships, which could help reduce or eliminate the financial obligations of the program. For example, students pursuing the FNP or PMHNP degree may be eligible for the Advanced Nursing Education Workforce Grant Scholarship. The scholarship grant is designed to promote and support healthcare in medically underserved and/or rural settings.S.No. | Accrediting Agency |
1 | Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) |
2 | Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) |
5 |
Hourly | $60.56 |
Weekly | $2,423 |
Monthly | $10,500 |
Annual | $125,970 |
Hourly | $44.56 |
Weekly | $1,782 |
Monthly | $7,720 |
Annual | $92,680 |
Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
1-4 Years of Experience | $50.41 | $2,017 | $8,740 | $104,860 |
5-9 Years of Experience | $59.51 | $2,380 | $10,320 | $123,780 |
10-19 Years of Experience | $66.27 | $2,651 | $11,490 | $137,850 |
20 Years or More Experience | $79.20 | $3,168 | $13,730 | $164,730 |
Metro | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
Charleston-North Charleston | $64.05 | $2,562 | $11,100 | $133,220 |
Columbia | $58.57 | $2,343 | $10,150 | $121,820 |
Florence | $63.38 | $2,535 | $10,990 | $131,820 |
Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin | $59.04 | $2,362 | $10,230 | $122,810 |
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort | $55.56 | $2,222 | $9,630 | $115,560 |
Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach | $58.66 | $2,346 | $10,170 | $122,010 |
Spartanburg | $61.44 | $2,458 | $10,650 | $127,790 |
Sumter | $59.26 | $2,370 | $10,270 | $123,260 |
Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
Number | % | ||
Dentist | $182,970 | -$57,000 | -31.15% |
Podiatrist | $159,340 | -$33,370 | -20.94% |
Pharmacist | $134,960 | -$8,990 | -6.66% |
Veterinarian | $127,400 | -$1,430 | -1.12% |
Nurse With DNP | $125,970 | $0 | 0.00% |
Optometrist | $114,430 | +$11,540 | +10.08% |
Physician Assistant | $114,310 | +$11,660 | +10.20% |
Radiation Therapist | $94,940 | +$31,030 | +32.68% |
Physical Therapist | $94,280 | +$31,690 | +33.61% |
Occupational Therapist | $88,520 | +$37,450 | +42.31% |
Speech-Language Pathologist | $85,670 | +$40,300 | +47.04% |
Audiologist | $82,610 | +$43,360 | +52.49% |
Dental Hygienist | $76,950 | +$49,020 | +63.70% |
Chiropractor | $72,810 | +$53,160 | +73.01% |