University of South Carolina-Columbia Tuition, Acceptance Rate and Admissions (2026)

Columbia, SC · Public · Graduate degree · College Scorecard data · Updated September 10, 2026

In-State Tuition$12,688
Out-of-State Tuition$35,972
Acceptance Rate60%
Average SAT1297

University of South Carolina-Columbia vs. State and National Averages

University of South Carolina-ColumbiaSC AverageNational Average
In-state tuition$12,688$16,649$18,082
vs. average—-24%-30%

Other colleges in Columbia

CollegeTypeUndergraduatesTuition
Columbia International UniversityPrivate nonprofit716$27,900
Southeastern College-ColumbiaPrivate for-profit267$25,080
Columbia CollegePrivate nonprofit1,343$22,214
ECPI University-ColumbiaPrivate for-profit—$18,484
South University-ColumbiaPrivate for-profit450$18,145

Tuition shown is in-state tuition for schools that report one, otherwise the published tuition for the school's largest program. Source: College Scorecard.

Outcomes and student profile at University of South Carolina-Columbia

Median earnings 10 years after enrolling$62,177
Graduation rate (within 150% of normal time)79%
Median debt among graduates who borrowed$21,500
Undergraduates receiving Pell grants19%
Undergraduates aged 25 and over3%
First-generation students20%

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. Earnings and debt figures cover students who received federal financial aid.

FAQ

What is the tuition at University of South Carolina-Columbia?

In-state tuition at University of South Carolina-Columbia is $12,688 and out-of-state tuition is $35,972, according to College Scorecard data.

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

The acceptance rate at University of South Carolina-Columbia is 60%.

How hard is it to get into University of South Carolina-Columbia?

With an acceptance rate of 60%, University of South Carolina-Columbia is moderately selective among U.S. colleges.

What SAT score do you need for University of South Carolina-Columbia?

The average SAT score for admitted students at University of South Carolina-Columbia is 1297.

How big is University of South Carolina-Columbia?

University of South Carolina-Columbia enrolls about 29,820 undergraduate students. The student-faculty ratio is 19:1.

Is University of South Carolina-Columbia expensive?

In-state tuition at University of South Carolina-Columbia is $12,688, which is 24% below the SC average of $16,649.

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

Median earnings ten years after enrolling at University of South Carolina-Columbia are $62,177 a year, according to College Scorecard.

How much debt do students at University of South Carolina-Columbia take on?

The median debt among University of South Carolina-Columbia graduates who borrowed is $21,500, according to College Scorecard.