University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia, SC, USA

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability and Cost

Average Net Price Average net price for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying the in-state or in-district tuition rate who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. Other sources of grant aid are excluded. Aid awarded anytime during the full aid year is included.

Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
$21,784
Calculate your net cost
Average Net Price By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$12,130
$30k - $48k
$16,404
$48k - $75k
$20,325
$75k - $110k
$22,517
$110k+
$24,733
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$12,688
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$33,928
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$11,780
Books and Supplies
$1,085
Tuition Payment Plan
No
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]

Aid & Grants

0
100
71%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
19%
Average Aid Per Year
$6,733
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
19%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$2,051
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$2,437
Students receiving state aid
51%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$5,562
Students receiving federal aid
67%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$2,051
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$104,257,968
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$73,511,573

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
48%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$9,214
Students receiving federal loans
47%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$5,321
Average Other Loans Per Year
$17,059
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$18,750
Loan Default Rate
3%
US National: 7%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$215

What Students Are Saying

Being at Carolina is really worth the money. You receive a great education and you'll never have a dull day.
Latifah from Columbia, SC
USC really is very generous with their scholarships. I am an out of state student, and I am going to this great school for less than I would have paid to go to a small in-state college. I am learning a lot, and making great connections for later in life (I hope).
Stefan from Kennett Square, PA
The University itself is amazing and is a terrific college to attend. But like most colleges, the out of state rates are not cheap. But USC is great at giving out academic scholarships, even if it just lowers the scholarship to instate tuition. But instate tuition is very reasonably priced.
Amanda from Milton, GA
I never realized until I came to the university how much you get for your money. There is tutoring help and the library is open 24/7. Also included in your tution are visits to the student health center, so there is no excuse not to go when you are sick!! There are always free things to do on campus when you don't have a lot of money to go out. The Russell House theater plays 2 movies Thursday through Sunday. Also, if you get involved in an organization (which you should! there are over 300 organizations to get involved in!) they are always hosting free events for students.
Alana from Greer, SC
College is expensive, everyone knows that. There are tons of scholarships available here. If you are out-of-state and you receive an academic scholarship (credentials on the school website) you will receive in state tuition. Now you can't tell me that's not a good deal! that provides for a very diverse environment here. There are 300+ student organizations and it is super easy to get involved. Not only is there an on campus bookstore at the Russel House for easy book purchase, there is a cheaper one off campus that is less than a quarter of a mile from the on campus bookstore! Very convenient!
Amber from Ladson, SC
I mean college is of course not cheap, but with my scholarships, it is definitely affordable. I feel like I am getting my money's worth from my education because I am not paying for a bunch of classes that I do not want to take. The real rip off is the textbooks because the publishers keep changing the editions so that you can not get them used.
Catherine from Summerville, SC
USC offers plenty of opportunities without costs! Lots of events and shows that are no cost to the students and they offer plenty of free merchandising too as well. Great learning atmosphere, peaceful and beautiful campus, along with great professors, USC is definitely one of a kind. Many people here are surprisingly from out of state, and they fit in just well. USC is a great place to live on campus too, maintenance is surely on top of most situations, trying their best to clean up or resolve any issue within the living residential halls. USC is definitely a great place to be!
Andy from Cayce, SC
USC is a great all-around school. It has anything you could possibly imagine, and more. Plus, if you think we need something else/new, there's committees you can easily go to to request it. Honestly, it's not cheap going here- but it's worth it if you want the full experience.
Isabella from Longs, SC
You get a hell of a lot for your money. Not only do you get access to a massive library (7 stories), WiFi all throughout campus and the biggest gym in the nation, but you are only an hour to an hour and a half away from the beach.
Chuck from Charleston, SC