Education
2019 Population 25 Years Old & Older by Educational Attainment
| Less than 9th Grade | 5.3% |
| 9th-12th Grade, No Diploma | 8.9% |
| High School Graduate | 22.8% |
| GED/Alternative Credential | 4.3% |
| Some College, No Degree | 17.3% |
| Associate Degree | 8.9% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 21.0% |
| Graduate/Professional Degree | 11.4% |
2019 Employed Population 16+ by Industry
| Agriculture / Mining | 0.3% |
| Construction | 10.2% |
| Manufacturing | 15.4% |
| Wholesale Trade | 3.2% |
| Retail Trade | 9.9% |
| Transportation / Utilities | 5.4% |
| Information | 1.9% |
| Finance / Insurance / Real Estate | 5.5% |
| Services | 47.4% |
| Public Administration | 0.9% |
Source: ESRI, 2020
Greer is home to the Greer Campus of Greenville Technical College, and there are a wide variety of other higher education facilities, all within a close proximity to Greer. These facilities include technical colleges as well as some of the nation’s finest small colleges and highly respected Universities. The following provides overview information for these institutions of higher education.
Regional Institutions of Higher Education
| Institution | Type | City | Enrollment Fall 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson University | Private College | Anderson | 3,429 |
| Bob Jones University | Private University | Greenville | 3,002 |
| Clemson University | Public University | Clemson | 24,951 |
| Converse College | Private College | Spartanburg | 1,371 |
| Furman University | Private University | Greenville | 2,947 |
| Greenville Technical College | Technical College | Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer | 10,864 |
| Limestone College | Private College | Gaffney | 2,410 |
| North Greenville University | Private University | Tigerville | 2,578 |
| Southern Wesleyan University | Private College | Central | 1,551 |
| Spartanburg Methodist College | Independent Institution | Spartanburg | 864 |
| Spartanburg Community College | Technical College | Spartanburg | 4,534 |
| The University Center | Consortium | Greenville | * |
| Tri-County Technical College | Technical College | Pendleton | 6,082 |
| USC – Upstate | Public University | Spartanburg | 6,175 |
| Wofford College | Private College | Spartanburg | 1,666 |
Source: SC Commission on Higher Education
*Students attending The University Center of Greenville are actually enrolled in one of eight participating colleges and universities.
Greenville Technical College
Established in the early 1960s, Greenville Tech has grown from a small institution to a thriving four-campus system where over 15,000 academic students and more than 21,000 continuing education students change their futures with short-term training, programs geared to today’s opportunities, or courses that will count toward a bachelor’s degree when they transfer. Students come first at Greenville Tech with flexible scheduling choices, convenient locations, small classes so you won’t get lost in a crowd, and instructors who work with you every step of the way.
North Greenville University
North Greenville University’s vision is to provide each student with an exceptional education in an authentic Christian environment for a successful life of service. To NGU, that means offering more than 2,500 undergraduate, online, and graduate students strong academic programs and opportunities for spiritual growth, cultural enrichment, and hands-on service you expect from a Christian university.
Spartanburg Community College
Spartanburg Community College is a comprehensive, two year technical college. The college serves between 10,000 to 14,000 students each year. Spartanburg CC provides a wide range of instructional programs, which include associate degree, diploma, certificate, occupational advancement and community interest courses.
University Center of Greenville
Greer residents have immediate access to eight separate institutions of higher education under one roof at The University Center of Greenville. Students have the opportunity to be enrolled in one of the following colleges or Universities, and attend classes at the University Center.
- Anderson University
- Clemson University
- Furman University
- Greenville Technical College
- South Carolina State
- University of South Carolina
- University of South Carolina – Upstate
More than 600 courses are offered in 76 graduate and undergraduate programs. Students must meet the academic and financial requirements of each individual institution. The majority of courses are offered in the evenings, with some daytime and weekend classes provided.
Furman University
Furman University is one of the nation’s top independent, coeducational liberal arts and sciences colleges. Located on the outskirts of Greenville, Furman is nestled at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains on a beautiful 750-acre campus. The American Society of Landscape Architects has recognized Furman as one of the most beautifully landscaped areas in the country, and was once selected by the Princeton Review as one of the five most scenic university campuses in the nation .
Wofford College
Located in downtown Spartanburg, Wofford College is a private, coeducational college, which has approximately 1,495 students and offers 26 major fields of study. Forbes, Kiplinger’s, U.S. News, USA Today and other publications have recognized the college for educational quality and value.
Converse College
Converse is a private women’s college, located in downtown Spartanburg. Converse College offers 45 majors to a student body of 1,269, and has been acclaimed as one of the top ten colleges in the south. A unique feature of the Converse curriculum is the double major program, which allows students to combine two fields of study from the liberal arts offerings.
University of South Carolina – Upstate
The University of South Carolina – Upstate (USCU) is a branch campus of South Carolina’s largest university system, which offers undergraduate programs and selected master’s degrees. In addition to its comprehensive curricula in the arts and sciences, USCU offers professional studies in the fields of business, education, heath, criminal justice and information technology. Programs are offered through on-site instruction, distance learning, continuing education and inter-institutional articulation agreements.
Clemson University
With a student body of almost 20,000, Clemson is one of the nation’s leading centers for research and development. The University is located on 1,400 acres in southern Pickens County, along the shores of Lake Hartwell. Clemson University was named TIME Magazine’s “ Public College of the Year” in its 2001 edition of “The Best College for You”. Clemson was ranked as the 25th best national public university by U.S.News and World Report in 2012, and ranked 2nd in “happiest students” in the 2012 Princeton Review. As the state’s second largest institution of higher learning, Clemson excels in such areas as agriculture, architecture, and engineering. A total of 74 undergraduate programs and 112 postgraduate programs are offered in Clemson’s five colleges.
| School | School District | Grade | Enrollment | *Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greer High School | Greenville County | 9th – 12th | 1,217 | 30.0 to 1 |
| Riverside High School | Greenville County | 9th – 12th | 1,791 | 30.8 to 1 |
| Blue Ridge High School | Greenville County | 9th – 12th | 1,037 | 32.8 to 1 |
| James F Byrnes High School | Spartanburg District 5 | 9th – 12th | 2,458 | 28.3 to 1 |
| DR Hill Middle School | Spartanburg District 5 | 7th – 8th | 638 | 22.5 to 1 |
| Greer Middle School | Greenville County | 6th – 8th | 1,031 | 27.4 to 1 |
| Riverside Middle School | Greenville County | 6th – 8th | 1,161 | 27.4 to 1 |
| Blue Ridge Middle School | Greenville County | 6th – 8th | 1,007 | 26.3 to 1 |
| Northwood Middle School | Greevnille County | 6th – 8th | 909 | 24.6 to 1 |
| Beech Springs Intermediate | Spartanburg District 5 | 5th – 6th | 673 | 15.2 to 1 |
| Skyland Elementary School | Greenville County | K4 – 5th | 756 | 22.4 to 1 |
| Chandler Creek Elementary | Greenville County | K5 – 5th | 948 | 22.9 to 1 |
| Crestview Elementary | Greenville County | K5 – 5th | 709 | 22.8 to 1 |
| Reidville Elementary | Spartanburg District 5 | K4 – 3rd | 394 | 18.4 to 1 |
| Brook Glenn Elementary | Greenville County | K5 – 5th | 414 | 19.9 to 1 |
| Woodland Elementary | Greenville County | K5 – 5th | 1,073 | 21.9 to 1 |
| Duncan Elementary | Spartanburg District 5 | K5 – 3rd | 610 | 16.5 to 1 |
| Brushy Creek Elementary | Greenville County | K(4&5) – 5th | 876 | 22.7 to 1 |
| Buena Vista Elementary | Greenville County | K5 – 5th | 907 | 23.0 to 1 |
| Tigerville Elementary | Greenville County | K4 – 5th | 320 | 17.4 to 1 |
| Mountain View Elementary | Greenville County | K5 – 5th | 842 | 20.1 to 1 |
| Greer Middle College Charter High School | Greenville County | 9th-12th | 500 | 30.6 to 1 |
Source: SC Department of Education, *Student-Teacher Ratio determined from core subjects
Greer Area Private Schools 2019
| School | City | Grade | Enrollment | Denomination |
| Southside Christian School | Greenville | Pre-K – 12 th | 1063 | Independent |
| Christ Church Episcopal School | Greenville | Pre-K – 12 th | 1127 | Episcopal |
| Hampton Park Christian School | Greenville | Pre-K – 12 th | 393 | Baptist |
| Shannon Forest Christian School | Greenville | Pre-K – 12 th | 775 | Interdenominational |
| Spartanburg Day School | Spartanburg | Pre-K – 12 th | 448 | Nondenominational |
| Tabernacle Christian School | Greenville | K – 12 th | 94 | Baptist |
| Westgate Christian School | Spartanburg | Pre-K – 12 th | 184 | Independent Baptist |
| Piedmont Christian Academy | Greenville | Pre-K – 12 th | 27 | Nondenominational |
| Dependent Christian School | Spartanburg | K – 12 th | 50 | Free Will Baptist |
| Bob Jones Academy | Greenville | Pre-K – 12 th | 1189 | Nondenominational |
| St Joseph ’s High School | Greenville | 6 th – 12 th | 660 | Catholic |
| Spartanburg Christian Academy | Spartanburg | Pre-K – 12 th | 455 | Baptist |
| Mitchell Rd. Christian Academy | Greenville | Pre-K – 8 th | 431 | Presbyterian |
| St. Mary’s School | Greenville | Pre-K – 8 th | 261 | Catholic |
| Mt. Zion Christian School | Greenville | Pre-K – 8 th | 136 | Nondenominational |
| Our Lady of the Rosary | Greenville | K – 8 th | 128 | Catholic |
| St Paul the Apostle School | Spartanburg | Pre-K – 8 th | 151 | Catholic |
| Blue Ridge Christian | Greenville | K – 12 th | 160 | Nondenominational |
The J. Harley Bonds Career Center
The J. Harley Bonds Career Center is located on Main Street in Greer, South Carolina and is a resource center for a multitude of educational programs. The School District of Greenville County provides both day and evening classes as part of their Lifelong Learning program at the Career Center for adults 17 years of age or older who want to get a high school diploma or GED. The Greenville Literacy Association, which is the largest community-based literacy program in South Carolina, has a Greer location in the Career Center.
The South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities
The South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities is the states premier school for artistically talented high school students. It offers artistic experiences and intensive study for students throughout the state, and is located in the heart of Greenville’s arts community, on an 8.5-acre historic site overlooking the Reedy River Falls. Life on the campus of the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities offers talented young adults the opportunity to live, learn and play together in a community environment.
The South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind
The South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind is a specialized instructional and resource center located in Spartanburg, South Caorlina. It provides services statewide for deaf, blind and sensory multi-disabled individuals (children and adults), their families and the professionals who work with them. SCSDB offers programs for preschool, elementary, middle school, high school, sensory multi-disabled, vocational and postsecondary educational students, as well as a variety of outreach and support services. The main campus is in Spartanburg, and regional centers are located throughout the state.
Roper Mountain Science Center
The Roper Mountain Science Center is an educational facility of the Greenville County School district, dedicated to improving education through “hands-on; minds-on” activities that excite and motivate students and their teachers. The facility is located in Greenville on 62-acres and has a major observatory, the state’s largest planetarium, six health education classrooms, chemistry and physics labs, a life science lab, a discovery room, a computer lab, a living history farm, and a TV studio. The center also provides a variety of hands-on staff development programs and institutes for teachers throughout the year. The center is open to the public, and offers a variety of educational activities.