University of South Carolina

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at University of South Carolina was $12,288 a year for in-state students and $34,534 a year for out-of-state students.

Usually, college tuition rises about 3% year.

If these numbers sound impossible, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't the final cost for attending college. Many students find the actual cost of college is a lot less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. Plus, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay for college more manageable until you've finishing school and found a job.

Tuition for international students at University of South Carolina is $34,534 per year.

University of South Carolina meets 71% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend University of South Carolina full-time are awarded $16,279 a year in financial aid, on average.

The average student debt for graduates in the class of 2023 was around $31,695 per student, not including those with no debt.

Does University of South Carolina Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

University of South Carolina is a public, state institution, so it offers a reduced tuition rate of $12,288 for students who qualify as state residents and attend full-time.Non-South Carolina residents can expect to pay 34,534 per year for tuition.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing an insitution where you qualify for the reduced tuition offered to state residentscan save on the cost of tuition, as well as loans and interest owed. Be sure to confirm your state's rules for in-state tuition. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be additional requirements too, depending on where you live.

Explore other South Carolina colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to University of South Carolina?

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 usually pay around $34,534 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 should research private or school-specific aid and scholarships.

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

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University of South Carolina Room, Board, Fees, and More

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In addition to tuition, there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at University of South Carolina.

Room and Board Costs at University of South Carolina

Room and board at University of South Carolina costs $13,332 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a meal plan that allows you to eat all or some of your meals the school dining facilities.

Meal-plan costs vary based on on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at University of South Carolina

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The real cost of books depends on the courses you take and the materials required. 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

Most schools 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 certain activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Most colleges have resources for students with financial need to get help covering these costs.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at University of South Carolina

The cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus walkable? Do you plan to bring a car or are you planning to use public transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. At University of South Carolina, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

Where are a college is located can also have a big effect on transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in an urban area is usually costly, but cities may offer more trains, busses or affordable flights to actually get to school. The University of South Carolina campus is in a city in South Carolina.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, be sure to consider the cost of things like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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The Full Cost of Attending University of South Carolina

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Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better idea of the actual cost of attending 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.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$12,288
Out-of-State Tuition	$34,534
Room and Board	$13,332
Other expenses	$4,308

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.

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Financial Aid at University of South Carolina

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In 2023, 11,544 of the 27,428 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. University of South Carolina meets 71% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $16,279 a year. Around 53% 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 $31,695 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$20,204
State Loans	$12,642
Private Loans	$43,442

Most Common Loans for University of South Carolina Students
Federal Loans	51%
State loans	8%
Private loans	15%

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 2023, University of South Carolina awarded 5,804 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $104.3 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $73.51 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 $16,279 in 2023. 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	$-918
Net In-state, Off-campus	$-2,279
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$37,607

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

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.

University of South Carolina does not have guaranteed tuition.

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 offset the cost of attending. Some schools offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

University of South Carolina has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

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

University of South Carolina's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

For more information about University of South Carolina's endowment, check with the school directly.

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Learn More About University of South Carolina

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