ic S/general/checkmark circled Thanks for subscribing! Be on the lookout for our next newsletter.
ic S/general/checkmark circled
Saved to My Favorites. View My Favorites
Colleges / University of South Carolina

University of South Carolina

Columbia, SC 4-Year Public
Acceptance Rate62%
Acceptance Rate62%

University of South Carolina Tuition Information

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at University of South Carolina was $12,288 a year for in-state students and $33,528 a year for out-of-state students.

Usually, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

If this information makes going to college seem daunting, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't the final cost for attending college. Many students owe much less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. Additionally, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college feel more doable until after graduation.

International students can expect to pay 33,528 per year for tuition at University of South Carolina.

University of South Carolina: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

University of South Carolina is a public, state institution, which means it offers a reduced tuition rate of $12,288 for students who qualify as state residents and attend full-time. For students who are not considered South Carolina-residents, out-of-state tuition is $33,528 a year.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public insitutions often offer a lower cost of attendance for students who are residents of that state.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state residency can cut the cost of college tuition. Be sure to verify your state's criteria for in-state residency. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be additional requirements too, depending on where you live.

Explore other South Carolina colleges

University of South Carolina International Student Tuition

University of South Carolina has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at University of South Carolina can expect to pay around $33,528 per year, before any scholarships, grants or other financial aid.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but may be eligible for private or University of South Carolina-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities..

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships.


University of South Carolina Living Expenses, Fees, and More


In addition to the cost of tuition, room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when planning for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at University of South Carolina.

House and Food Costs at University of South Carolina

Housing and campus dining at University of South Carolina is $13,332 a year. This number includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a dining plan that allows you to eat in the school dining halls.

Board costs may vary depending on the numnber of meals you intend to eat on-campus

How Much Do Books Cost at University of South Carolina?

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The real cost of books depends on the courses you take and what kinds of books and materials they require. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Yearly Fees

The majority of colleges also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be other costs associated with participating in special activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Most colleges have ways so that those with financial need to get help covering these costs.

The Cost of Transportation at University of South Carolina

The total cost of transportation in college depends on a few key factors. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you plan to bring a car or will you need to use public transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

The location of a college or university can impact the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand getting around in a city can be costly, but there may be more trains, busses or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. University of South Carolinais located in a urban setting in South Carolina.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, don’t forget to consider the cost of things like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.


The Full Cost of Attending University of South Carolina


Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better idea of how much students can expect to shell out for University of South Carolina.

Total Cost of University of South Carolina

What will the cost of attending University of South Carolina be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition $12,288
Out-of-State Tuition $33,528
Room and Board $13,332
Other expenses $3,638

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.


Financial Aid at University of South Carolina


In 2022, 11,850 of the 26,864 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. University of South Carolina meets 72% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $10,478 a year. Around 54% of University of South Carolina undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. University of South Carolina graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $32,833 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans $21,083
State Loans $12,541
Private Loans $42,349
Most Common Loans for University of South Carolina Students
Federal Loans 52%
State loans 1%
Private loans 16%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on University of South Carolina financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at University of South Carolina

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2022, University of South Carolina awarded 5,510 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $93.1 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $65.3 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of University of South Carolina

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for University of South Carolina students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at University of South Carolina was $10,478 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of University of South Carolina seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus $10,014
Net In-state, Off-campus $3,522
Out-of-State, On-Campus $41,732

What will attending University of South Carolina really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the University of South Carolina's net cost calculator on their website.

University of South Carolina Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Does University of South Carolina Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.


Learn More About University of South Carolina


To learn more about University of South Carolina, choose from the options below:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Visit the College Confidential forums to join the conversation about University of South Carolina

University of South Carolina Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$26,822

In State

$48,062

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$12,288
$33,528
Fees
$400
$400
Housing
$12,908
$12,908
Books
$1,226
$1,226

University of South Carolina Financial Aid

Students Who Receive Need-Based Aid

22%

Average Financial Aid Package

$11,283

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

35,471

Campus Setting

Urban

Acceptance Rate

62%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$12,688

Out-of-State

$33,928

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Dec 1
Do You Work at a University?

Claim your page to customize your profile and connect with students!

Claim Free Account
F43DB07C-E631-43A5-9C99-000231808F35
Scholarship Tips

Want to find money for school that doesn’t need to be paid back? Access insights and advice on how to search and apply for scholarships!

Find Scholarships
ECE68226-946A-49FB-9EBE-25C918B98643
Need Advice or Have a Question About University of South Carolina?

Connect with the world's largest college forum for candid, authentic discussion.

Join the Conversation