University of South Carolina – Columbia Tuition and Fees

University of South Carolina - Columbia Tuition

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      By Kelly Boyer Sagert

      (Last Updated – 06/2025)

      The University of South Carolina is a public research university with its main campus in Columbia and eight campuses in total across the state. The university has more than 350 degree programs, including well-respected medical, law, business, and engineering programs.

      Total Cost of Attendance

      The University of South Carolina tuition in 2023-24 for state residents was $12,688. This is slightly higher than the national average of $11,260 for in-state tuition at public universities. For residents of other states, South Carolina tuition was $34,934, which is higher than the national average for out-of-state tuition of $29,150.

      Tuition, however, is only part of the total cost of attending college. Here’s a look at other expenses students can expect when attending the University of South Carolina.

      Costs for 2023-24

      Student Type

      In-State

      Out-of-State

      Tuition & Fees

      $12,688

      $34,934

      Books & Supplies

      $1,226

      $1,226

      Room & Board (on campus)

      $12,558

      $12,558

      Other Expenses

      $5,5055

      $5,505

      Total Cost of Attendance

      $31,977

      $54,223

      Financial Aid

      At South Carolina, nearly all students (95%) use financial aid to help cover the tuition and other costs. This may be student loans, scholarships, or grants, or a combination of these. You can explore financial aid options at South Carolina Student Loan & Scholarships.

      Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need or merit. Students who qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

      The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

      •  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, or financial need.

      •  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, or nonprofit organizations.

      •  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

      •  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

      Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state, federal, and school deadlines may differ.

      You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

      •  US Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

      •  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

      •  SoFi Scholarship Finder– Use our handy tool to streamline your search by award type, location, level of study and more.

      Private Student Loans

      Of the South Carolina students who take out student loans, 48% take out federal loans, and 12% get private student loans (with an average amount of $20,640).

      Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or -affiliated organizations. While Federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

      What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans, which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

      Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for, since it generally has better rates and terms.

      If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school during the year, private loans can potentially help you make your tuition payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

      Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

      Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

      The University of South Carolina cost for four years, including tuition and fees, room and board, books, and other costs, is $127,908 for in-state students (based on 2023-24 numbers). By comparison, the national average at public universities for in-state students is $115,360 for four years.

      For out-of-state residents, the four-year cost for attending South Carolina is $216,892. This is higher than the national average of $186,920 for out-of-state tuition and other expenses.

      This student loan and scholarship information may be valuable as you research schools and costs.

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      Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

      Costs for 2023-24

      University of South Carolina undergraduate tuition and fees for 2023-24 were $12,688 for in-state students, which was the same as the prior academic year The tuition and fees for out-of-state students in 2023-24 were $34,934, a 3% increase from the prior academic year.

      Graduate Tuition and Fees

      Costs for 2023-24

      Student Type

      In-State

      Out-of-State

      Tuition

      $13,374

      $29,760

      Fees

      $400

      $400

      Tuition and fees for graduate students at South Carolina for 2023-24 averaged $13,774 for in-state students and $30,160 for out-of-state students. For in-state students, this is a relatively good deal: The average cost of graduate school tuition and fees in the U.S. is $22,430 per year.

      There are graduate loans available to help with these costs.

      Cost per Credit Hour

      The cost per credit hour is $512 for South Carolina residents and $1,495.75 for other students.

      Campus Housing Expenses

      First-year students are required to live on campus. The Columbia campus offers 25 student housing options, including general residences halls and Living and Learning communities.

      Costs for 2022-23

      •  Housing and food expenses (on campus): $12,558

      •  Housing and food expenses (off campus): $11,239

      •  Other living expenses (on/off campus): $5,505

      Total living expenses for 2023-24 came to $18,063 for students who live on campus and $16,744 for those who live off campus.

      University of South Carolina Acceptance Rate

      Fall 2023

      Number of Applications

      Number Accepted

      Percentage Accepted

      46,682

      28,475

      61%

      The South Carolina acceptance rate is 61%, which makes the school somewhat selective.

      Admission Requirements

      If you’re thinking of applying to the University of South Carolina, here’s a look at the school’s admissions requirements:

      Required:

      •  Application (including essay and activities section)

      •  $65 non-refundable application fee

      •  Unofficial high school transcript (upon review, the admission office will let you know if they need an official one)

      •  Standardized test score (if using – USC is test-optional through 2026)

      Here are the application deadlines:

      •  Early Decision: November 1 (with a decision given by December 15)

      •  Regular Decision: December 1 (with a decision given by January 15)

      •  Honors College and Top Scholars Deadline: November 15

      SAT and ACT Scores

      Though submitting test scores is optional at South Carolina, it can be helpful to know the average scores of other students who chose to submit their scores.

      Here are the standardized test scores of students who enrolled in Fall 2023 at the 25th and 75th percentiles.

      Subject

      25th Percentile

      75th Percentile

      SAT Evidence-Based
      Reading/Writing

      600

      690

      SAT Math

      580

      690

      ACT Composite

      26

      32

      ACT English

      25

      34

      ACT Math

      24

      29

      Graduation Rate

      Most Carolina students complete their degree in four years. But some students take longer. Here are the graduation rates for students who began at the school in 2017.

      •  4 years: 69%

      •  6 years: 78%

      Post-Graduation Median Earnings

      The average salary for University of South Carolina graduates is $72,000. This is slightly higher than the average projected starting salary for the class of 2025 at the bachelor’s degree level, which is $68,680.

      Bottom Line

      The University of South Carolina provides a quality education, and the tuition is just slightly higher than the national average. Not sure how to pay for it? Most students use one or more forms of financial aid to help with the University of South Carolina tuition.

      If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.

      Cover up to 100% of school-certified costs including tuition, books, supplies, room and board, and transportation with a private student loan from SoFi.

      View Your Rate

      SoFi Private Student Loans
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