AIKEN, S.C. – August 18, 2026 – Aiken County Public School District (ACPSD) has been named to Forbes’ America’s Best Employers By State 2026 list, marking the District’s second consecutive year and fourth overall appearance on the prestigious list.
ACPSD ranked #22 among 55 employers recognized in South Carolina, placing the District within the top 40 percent of recognized employers statewide. Among the five education institutions included on South Carolina’s list, Aiken County Public Schools ranked #3.
“We are incredibly proud to once again be recognized among the top employers in South Carolina and among the leading education employers in our state,” Superintendent Dr. Corey Murphy shared. “Our employees are at the heart of everything we accomplish as a school district. Their commitment to our students, their colleagues, and the communities we serve makes Aiken County Public Schools a special place to learn and work. This recognition belongs to the more than 3,000 employees who show up each day committed to providing excellence for every student.”
The 2026 recognition marks ACPSD’s fourth appearance on the Forbes list, following previous recognitions in 2021, 2023, and 2025. The District’s inclusion in both 2025 and 2026 also marks its second consecutive year among Forbes’ Best Employers By State.
Forbes partnered with market research firm Statista to develop the 2026 list through an independent survey of more than 245,000 U.S. employees working for organizations employing at least 500 people in the United States. More than two million employer evaluations were considered.
Survey participants were asked how likely they were to recommend their employer and evaluated workplaces based on criteria including wages, work culture, opportunities for professional advancement, and how employers respond to serious workplace issues. Participants also had the opportunity to evaluate previous employers and organizations they knew through their industry, friends, or family.
Responses were incorporated into a scoring system along with survey data from the previous three years, with greater weight given to more recent data and responses from current employees within each state. Organizations receiving the highest scores in each state were included on the final lists.
ACPSD’s #22 statewide ranking, top-40-percent placement, and #3 ranking among recognized education institutions in South Carolina highlight the District’s strong standing among employers across the state.
The complete Forbes America’s Best Employers By State 2026 list and additional information about the methodology are available through Forbes.