Clemson University vs Horry-Georgetown Technical College: Which Nursing School Wins on the Numbers?

Two of South Carolina's biggest nursing schools, side by side — 2025 first-time NCLEX pass rates from the state board of nursing, plus cost, admissions and each school's own nursing-graduate earnings from federal data. Clemson University's best RN program outperformed Horry-Georgetown Technical College's on the 2025 first-time NCLEX (97.2% vs 96.6%), while Horry-Georgetown Technical College is the cheaper school on sticker tuition ($4,468 vs $15,554 a year).

Clemson UniversityClemson · South Carolina · PublicHorry-Georgetown Technical CollegeMyrtle Beach · South Carolina · Public
Best 2025 NCLEX-RN pass rate97.2%96.6%
In-state tuition / yrsticker, whole institution$15,554$4,468
Avg net price after aid / yr$22,253$4,159
Acceptance ratewhole institution38%
Graduation rate87%38%
Undergraduates23,3006,274
BSN grad pay, 1 yr outthis school’s own nursing grads$74,206
BSN grad median debt$18,629
ADN grad pay, 1 yr out$66,034
ADN grad median debt$23,500
PN/LPN grad pay, 1 yr out$40,724

Green = better on that row (higher pass rate, pay and graduation rate; lower cost and debt). Acceptance rate and size aren't scored — bigger or more selective isn't better for everyone. “—” = not published for that school.

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The pass-rate gap is a preparation gap

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which has the higher NCLEX pass rate — Clemson University or Horry-Georgetown Technical College?

Clemson University — 97.2% vs 96.6% first-time NCLEX-RN in 2025, per the South Carolina board of nursing. One year of data; check the trend on each school's page.

Which is cheaper — Clemson University or Horry-Georgetown Technical College?

On published in-state tuition, Horry-Georgetown Technical College ($4,468/yr vs $15,554/yr). After average aid, net prices run $22,253 (Clemson University) vs $4,159 (Horry-Georgetown Technical College).

About this data

Pass rates are 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN rates from the South Carolina board of nursing (each school's best rated RN program). Tuition, net price, admissions, earnings and debt come from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 2026 release); earnings and debt are program-level figures for each school's own nursing graduates and lag the current class by several years. Full sources are on each school's page.

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