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    University of South Carolina-Columbia

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    Overview

    University of South Carolina-Columbia is a public 4-year college located in Columbia, South Carolina. There are currently 26,840 undergraduates at South Carolina-Columbia and the school’s acceptance rate is 64%. The tuition at South Carolina-Columbia is $12,688 for in-state students and $33,928 for out-of-state.

    University of South Carolina-Columbia
    University University
    Universities are larger institutions that typically contain multiple different schools for different subjects. Students at these schools will be connected to a large group of peers and have many resources at their fingertips.
    11 City
    Urban institutions typically offer more options when it comes to internships, jobs, community service, research positions, social lives, and more. However, some may find the city distracting, and the cost of living is typically higher.

    Scholarships & Financial Aid

    $29,939

    Sticker Price
    Sticker Price

    $30,135

    Average Annual Aid
    Average Annual Aid

    $21,044

    Average Annual Cost
    Average Annual Cost

    Cost Breakdown


    In-State
    Tuition
    $12,688
    Books & Supplies
    $1,085
    Room & Board
    $11,780
    Other
    $4,386

    In-State Estimated Cost:

    $29,939

    for the 2023-2024 Academic Year

    Out-of-State
    Tuition
    $33,928
    Books & Supplies
    $1,085
    Room & Board
    $11,780
    Other
    $4,386

    Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:

    $51,179

    for the 2023-2024 Academic Year

    Since South Carolina-Columbia is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at South Carolina-Columbia is $29,939 for in-state students in SC, and $51,179 for out-of-state students. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.


    It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.


    College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at South Carolina-Columbia would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.

    University of South Carolina-Columbia Financial Aid

    Students who are applying for financial aid at University of South Carolina-Columbia need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.


    The FAFSA code for University of South Carolina-Columbia is 003448.


    If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.

    Stamps Scholarship at South Carolina-Columbia

    South Carolina-Columbia participates in the Stamps Scholarship Program, which means that they offer recurring scholarships to select admitted students. These awards range between $6,000 to $90,000 per year. Many schools automatically consider admitted students for Stamps Scholarships. However, some schools have a separate application process; be sure to check South Carolina-Columbia's website for information on how to apply.

    Pell Grants at University of South Carolina-Columbia

    18% of students at University of South Carolina-Columbia receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to University of South Carolina-Columbia.


    You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.

    Outside Scholarships

    South Carolina-Columbia students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:


    Admissions

    64%

    Admission Rate

    29

    Average ACT

    Coalition Colleges

    South Carolina-Columbia is a Coalition Member College, which means they have completed a vigorous vetting process from the Coalition for College to ensure that they “provide substantial support to lower-income, under-resourced and/or first-generation students; offer responsible student financial aid; and demonstrate a commitment to student graduation.” That also means you can apply to South Carolina-Columbia via the Coalition Application. The Coalition Application makes it easy to obtain application fee waivers if you qualify. It’s also a great way to discover other colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to affordability and strong student outcomes.

    Is South Carolina-Columbia test-optional?

    University of South Carolina-Columbia is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.

    October
    15

    Early Action

    December
    1

    Regular Decision

    What is the application deadline at South Carolina-Columbia?

    Students must apply by December 1 to enroll at South Carolina-Columbia during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.


    And if you’re considering applying Early Action at South Carolina-Columbia, remember that the deadline is October 15.

    Should I apply Early Action at South Carolina-Columbia?

    Early Action is a great option for students who want to hear back from a college before the Regular Decision admissions are released. At some colleges, applying Early Action can also help your admissions chances. However, this varies on a college-by-college basis, so it will not always give you a boost.

    Be on the lookout for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action options. These are not the same as Early Action, and although they can be great options for some students, they are not a good fit for everyone. If you’re considering applying for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action, be sure to read the college’s admissions website carefully. Make sure that these restrictions fit with your college admissions plan.

    Academics

    Student/Faculty Ratio

    Student/Faculty Ratio 18:1

    Graduation Rate

    Graduation Rate 78%

    Popular Majors

    Percent of Students

    Business, Management, & Marketing

    26%

    26% of graduates

    Health Professions & Related Programs

    12%

    12% of graduates

    Biological & Biomedical Sciences

    11%

    11% of graduates

    Communications & Journalism

    7%

    7% of graduates

    Engineering

    7%

    7% of graduates

    Social Sciences

    6%

    6% of graduates

    Psychology

    5%

    5% of graduates

    Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies

    5%

    5% of graduates

    Computer & Information Sciences

    4%

    4% of graduates

    Visual & Performing Arts

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting & Related Protective Services

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Education

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Liberal Arts & Humanities

    2%

    2% of graduates

    History

    1%

    1% of graduates

    English Language & Literature

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Mathematics

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Natural Resources & Conservation

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Physical Sciences

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Public Administration & Social Services

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Show More

    Student Body

    Undergraduate Students

    Undergraduate Students 26,840

    Pell Grant 19%

    Part-Time Undergrad Students 3%

    Undergrad Students Over 25 3%

    Percent Male / Female 44% / 56%

    Ethnic Diversity at South Carolina-Columbia

    74% White

    9% Black

    6% Hispanic

    4% Asian / Pacific Islander

    4% Multiracial

    2% International / Non-Citizen

    1% Unknown

    Student Outcomes


    Graduate Income

    Graduate Income $62,177

    Median Debt $21,500

    Debt 10 years after graduation $228

    Graduation Rate 78%

    What is the graduation rate at University of South Carolina-Columbia?

    78% of students who start at University of South Carolina-Columbia end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 20% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.

    How much do graduates of University of South Carolina-Columbia go on to earn?

    10 years after starting school at University of South Carolina-Columbia, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $62,177. This is $11,786 more than the national median.


    Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.

    How much do students at South Carolina-Columbia take out in loans?

    Graduates of South Carolina-Columbia have to take out a median of $21,500 in federal student loans. This is $8,000 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.

    Data Sources

    We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.

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