Understanding University of South Carolina Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

Choosing a college is a significant step toward achieving academic goals, but understanding the costs involved is crucial. College is challenging in many ways, but paying for it shouldn’t be. This article provides a detailed overview of the undergraduate tuition, fees, and associated costs at the University of South Carolina (USC) system, along with available financial aid options.

Tuition and Fees Overview

University of South Carolina's tuition is $12,688 for in-state and $37,376 for out-of-state students. Compared with the national average cost of in-state tuition of $12,436, University of South Carolina is more expensive. For students coming from out of state, the tuition is more expensive than the national average cost of out-of-state tuition of $29,815. These figures include both tuition and fees, also referred to as the sticker price. Fees differ by institution and may fund library services, student gym facilities, student centers, technology resources and campus health centers.

Total Cost of Attendance

As you’re comparing costs of different institutions, also consider the total cost and the net price. The total cost is the sticker price, plus the cost of food and housing, books and supplies, and transportation and personal expenses. At University of South Carolina, the total cost is $36,832 for in-state students and $60,116 for out-of-state students.

Understanding the complete cost of attendance is essential for financial planning. Besides tuition and fees, students should budget for:

Housing: Costs vary depending on the campus and housing type.
Books and Supplies: The cost of books ranges from $500 to $1,000 per semester depending upon major. Books may also be purchased online.
Meal Plans: Dining services, located in the Sansbury Campus Life Center, features a spacious dining hall and offers convenient access to a wide variety of menu selections and offerings including breakfast, lunch and dinner. Students that reside in the Palmetto House, the Villas, or Magnolia House are automatically assigned the minimum mandatory meal plan at the beginning of each semester. Villa Residents may modify or upgrade their meal plan through first 2 weeks of semester at the Cashiers Office in Health Education Complex (HEC).
Transportation: Costs for commuting or travel.
Personal Expenses: Miscellaneous costs for personal needs.

University of South Carolina Housing Options and Costs

On-Campus Housing

USC offers several housing options for undergraduate students, each with varying costs and amenities:

Magnolia House: A 105,000-square-foot traditional-style complex that can house 350 freshman students. It offers many of the same features and amenities as Palmetto House, including single and double rooms with full bathrooms and communal living spaces, and common rooms for studying and socializing. All of the standard amenities are provided including basic electricity, local phone service utilizing the newest technology in Internet phones, basic cable, access to the University’s high speed Internet service, water service, garbage collection, laundry facilities, parking lot security cameras, emergency phones and well-illuminated parking lots. A card entry system is used to provide controlled access to the building’s lobby, your floor and suite. In addition, the entire complex is outfitted with a sprinkler system.
Palmetto House: A 105,000-square-foot traditional-style complex, can house 350 upperclassmen students. Palmetto House features single and double rooms with full bathrooms and communal living spaces, common rooms for studying and socializing, and and on-site computer lab. All of the standard amenities are provided including basic electricity, local phone service utilizing the newest technology in Internet phones, basic cable, access to the University’s high speed Internet service, water service, garbage collection, laundry facilities, parking lot security cameras, emergency phones and well-illuminated parking lots. A card entry system is used to provide controlled access to the building’s lobby, your floor and suite. In addition, the entire complex is outfitted with a sprinkler system.
The Villas: A university-owned apartment community located in the midst of the campus and operated exclusively for USC Upstate students, offers furnished two-bedroom apartments. Housing is limited. Early application and admission to the University are strongly recommended.

Housing Amenities and Regulations

All of the standard amenities are provided including basic electricity, local phone service utilizing the newest technology in Internet phones, basic cable, access to the University’s high speed Internet service, water service, garbage collection, laundry facilities, parking lot security cameras, emergency phones and well-illuminated parking lots. A card entry system is used to provide controlled access to the building’s lobby, your floor and suite. In addition, the entire complex is outfitted with a sprinkler system.

Meal Plans

Students that reside in the Palmetto House, the Villas, or Magnolia House are automatically assigned the minimum mandatory meal plan at the beginning of each semester. Villa Residents may modify or upgrade their meal plan through first 2 weeks of semester at the Cashiers Office in Health Education Complex (HEC).

Financial Aid Options

Financial assistance may be available to you in the form of student loans. A college degree is a valuable investment - and so is your future. Get the tools you need to plan and pay for college. Explore financial aid options to help lower your out-of-pocket costs.

Scholarships

Scholarships are a great way to cover your education costs-it’s free money you don’t need to pay back. Scholarships are available for S.C. students. USC Aiken applies scholarship rates to UG students only. USC Beaufort applies scholarship rates to UG students only. USC Upstate applies scholarship rates to UG students only.

Grants

Earn assistance through grants, which are often awarded based on financial need. Learn more about grants available to help reduce the cost of college.

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Loans

Explore loan options from federal, state or private sources. Loans can help bridge the gap between your aid and college costs. Financial assistance may be available to you in the form of student loans.

Work-Study Programs

Earn money and gain experience through USC’s work-study program. or part-time employment.

Additional Considerations for International Students

documentation for tuition and fees for your first two semesters of study. a requirement for processing the I-20 or DS-2019. of Financial Aid's yearly estimated costs of attendance. offer letter to International Student and Scholar Support. need to have funding for your living expenses at USC. and all other graduate assistants, both SGTAs and SGRAs. (spouse or child) to the Form I-20 is $6,000. dependent must certify for $5,000 each.

Campus-Specific Fees and Programs

USC Columbia

Graduate rates listed under USC Columbia apply to all campuses. USC Columbia Housing - Housing contract cancellation and fines and damages. fines and damage charges. Housing charges a $100 deposit for room confirmation.

USC Aiken

Courses offered at Ft. Aiken is reviewing dining vendors for a new contract to begin in Fall 2025. USC campuses in Aiken, Beaufort, Columbia and Upstate. Aiken is reviewing dining vendors for a new contract to begin in Fall 2025.

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

USC Beaufort and Salkehatchie

Carolina Beaufort and the University of South Carolina Salkehatchie.

USC Upstate

USC Upstate applies scholarship rates to UG students only.

Additional Fees and Charges

Athletics Fees

by the Athletics Department. to all scholarship student-athletes. notifying Athletics.

Military Tuition

Active Duty Military - This is applied across USC System Institutions. Active Duty Military pay the resident rate for distance courses. students applying for 2-year military associate’s degree at Fort Jackson.

Program-Specific Fees

School of Business additional amount. with the Joint JD/MSB program. (MIB) which are assessed on the per credit hour basis. business including freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors. in Fall and Spring semesters. for experiential learning (ex: name badge, learning program management systems). electronic testing, and self-assessment platforms. the COP building. admitted (does not include pre-matriculation required screenings). students nearing graduation. conditionally accepted into the Doctor of Pharmacy program. experience. System (SOPHAS). MHA, MPH, DrPH, PhD; Academic Affairs: MPH in General Public Health. to the DPT program who begin matriculating after Summer 2016 semester. of 60 credit hours. the MHA professional program. MHA professional program and other associated services for students success.

Housing Related Fees

fines and damage charges.

Other Fees

for Senior Citizen free tuition students upon request.

Payment Information and Deadlines

Payment is accepted by electronic check and credit card. Students may be required to be proctored during online test completion. on published tuition deadline. for paying for your course by the tuition deadline. should allow up to 4-6 weeks for the financial aid process to be completed. the first day of classes each term. each term. for any prior term. on number of credit hours taken.

Important Considerations

Tuition Changes

amounts in advance. tuition must be approved in advance by the Provost. Board mandated fee rate. at board mandated fee rate.

Refund Policies

due to nonpayment and wish to be re-enrolled in classes for the same term.

Additional Resources for Financial Planning

View the full estimated cost to attend, or get a better estimate of your costs using our cost calculator. S.C. S.C. plan.

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