Colleges › South Carolina › University of South Carolina-Columbia

University of South Carolina-Columbia

University of South Carolina-Columbia is a public campus in Columbia proper — federal locale codes class it as urban.

What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23

family-income band

$14,421

family income
under $30k

$17,602

$30–48k

$22,744

$48–75k

$26,936

$75–110k

$29,493

over $110k

Average net price

$22,8112023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

Average net price at University of South Carolina-Columbia rose from $14,109 (2008) to $22,811 (2023).

Average net price — data
Year	Net price
2008	$14,109
2009	$14,046
2010	$14,899
2011	$16,127
2012	$16,523
2013	$17,622
2014	$18,555
2015	$19,095
2016	$19,519
2017	$19,219
2018	$20,509
2019	$20,559
2020	$20,796
2021	$21,044
2022	$24,532
2023	$22,811

IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$31,6382024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

Total cost at University of South Carolina-Columbia rose from $20,878 (2009) to $31,638 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
Year	Cost
2009	$20,878
2010	$21,490
2011	$22,206
2012	$23,064
2013	$23,685
2014	$24,586
2015	$25,390
2016	$26,362
2017	$26,079
2018	$26,841
2019	$28,059
2020	$28,602
2021	$28,856
2022	$28,844
2023	$32,840
2024	$31,638

IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition (in-state vs out-of-state)

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition — data
Year	In-state	Out-of-state
2000	$3,768	$10,054
2001	$3,964	$10,904
2002	$4,984	$13,104
2003	$5,778	$15,116
2004	$6,416	$16,784
2005	$7,314	$18,956
2006	$7,808	$20,236
2007	$8,346	$21,632
2008	$8,838	$22,908
2013	$10,816	$28,528
2014	$11,158	$29,440
2015	$11,482	$30,298
2016	$11,454	$30,882
2017	$11,862	$31,962
2018	$12,618	$33,298
2019	$12,688	$33,928
2020	$12,688	$33,928
2021	$12,688	$33,928
2022	$12,688	$33,928
2023	$12,688	$34,934

IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)

Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

University of South Carolina-Columbia reports tuition of $12,688 for in-state students and $35,972 for out-of-state students. Check University of South Carolina-Columbia’s residency rules, attendance budget and aid offer. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

University of South Carolina-Columbia is a big school: 29,820 undergraduates at last count.

78.8% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at University of South Carolina-Columbia within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart

78.8%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

The six-year graduation rate at University of South Carolina-Columbia rose from 56.2% (entered 1991) to 78.8% (entered 2018).

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
Year	Graduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort	56.2%
1992 cohort	55.6%
1993 cohort	60.2%
1994 cohort	55%
1995 cohort	58.1%
1996 cohort	59.8%
1997 cohort	61.2%
1998 cohort	63.9%
1999 cohort	65%
2000 cohort	62.7%
2001 cohort	62.8%
2002 cohort	66.7%
2003 cohort	69.1%
2004 cohort	67.6%
2005 cohort	70.2%
2006 cohort	72.4%
2007 cohort	72.7%
2008 cohort	73%
2009 cohort	72.5%
2010 cohort	73.2%
2011 cohort	75%
2012 cohort	77%
2013 cohort	76.8%
2014 cohort	78%
2015 cohort	78.2%
2016 cohort	78.3%
2017 cohort	77.8%
2018 cohort	78.8%

IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups

key chart

Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
Year	Completed	Left without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)	$16,500	$7,863
Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)	$16,500	$6,625
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)	$16,500	$7,000
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)	$16,125	$7,875
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)	$15,187	$7,500
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)	$14,555	$6,375
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)	$14,500	$6,129
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)	$14,500	$6,625
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)	$14,500	$6,125
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)	$15,024	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)	$15,750	$4,375
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)	$16,000	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)	$17,250	$7,500
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)	$19,497	$7,500
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)	$20,300	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)	$21,500	$8,212
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)	$21,500	$10,249
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)	$22,520	$9,250
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)	$23,000	$8,701
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)	$23,000	$9,841
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)	$22,724	$8,750
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)	$22,500	$8,264
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)	$22,303	$8,000
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)	$21,500	$7,750

NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15

$50,621

6 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13

$57,722

8 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11

$62,177

10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

University of South Carolina-Columbia admitted 31,701 of 52,703 applicants in Fall 2024. The 60.2% rate describes that application pool.

60.2%

acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle

rate trend $12,688 in-state tuition · 2023–24 29,820 undergraduates · Fall 2024

Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024

400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 1180–13601600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

In the Fall 2024 cycle, University of South Carolina-Columbia received 52,703 applications and admitted 31,701 (60.2%), with 7,272 enrolling.

University of South Carolina-Columbia reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For University of South Carolina-Columbia’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 600–680 and Math was 580–680 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 1180–1360 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score	25th	50th	75th
SAT Reading & Writing	600	640	680
SAT Math	580	630	680
ACT Composite	26	29	32

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

Acceptance rate

60.2%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

Read University of South Carolina-Columbia's change from 69.7% to 60.2% as a share of applications, not an explanation of admissions decisions. This describes Fall 2001 to Fall 2024.

Acceptance rate — data
Year	Acceptance rate
Fall 2001	69.7%
Fall 2002	69.7%
Fall 2003	70.3%
Fall 2004	70.3%
Fall 2005	67.4%
Fall 2006	67.7%
Fall 2007	63%
Fall 2008	59.4%
Fall 2009	58.5%
Fall 2010	63.6%
Fall 2011	69.9%
Fall 2012	63.1%
Fall 2013	60.6%
Fall 2014	65.2%
Fall 2015	64.5%
Fall 2016	68.1%
Fall 2017	72.3%
Fall 2018	63.1%
Fall 2019	68.7%
Fall 2020	68.3%
Fall 2021	61.6%
Fall 2022	64%
Fall 2023	61.5%
Fall 2024	60.2%

IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

1180–1360Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	990	1210
Fall 2002	990	1210
Fall 2003	1010	1230
Fall 2004	1030	1250
Fall 2005	1050	1250
Fall 2006	1060	1270
Fall 2007	1060	1260
Fall 2008	1080	1280
Fall 2009	1090	1280
Fall 2010	1090	1290
Fall 2011	1090	1280
Fall 2012	1100	1290
Fall 2013	1100	1290
Fall 2014	1120	1300
Fall 2015	1110	1290
Fall 2016	1120	1300
Fall 2017	1170	1330
Fall 2018	1190	1360
Fall 2019	1180	1370
Fall 2020	1140	1340
Fall 2021	1150	1360
Fall 2022	1180	1380
Fall 2023	1180	1380
Fall 2024	1180	1360

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

26–32Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

ACT middle 50% — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	21	26
Fall 2002	21	26
Fall 2003	21	26
Fall 2004	22	27
Fall 2005	22	27
Fall 2006	22	27
Fall 2007	23	28
Fall 2008	23	28
Fall 2009	24	28
Fall 2010	24	29
Fall 2011	24	29
Fall 2012	24	29
Fall 2013	24	29
Fall 2014	25	29
Fall 2015	25	30
Fall 2016	25	30
Fall 2017	25	30
Fall 2018	25	30
Fall 2019	25	31
Fall 2020	25	31
Fall 2021	26	31
Fall 2022	27	32
Fall 2023	26	32
Fall 2024	26	32

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

29,820Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

Undergraduate enrollment at University of South Carolina-Columbia rose from 15,575 (Fall 2002) to 29,820 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
Year	Undergraduates
Fall 2002	15,575
Fall 2003	16,314
Fall 2004	17,016
Fall 2005	17,781
Fall 2006	18,133
Fall 2007	18,497
Fall 2008	19,458
Fall 2009	20,136
Fall 2010	21,033
Fall 2011	22,222
Fall 2012	23,028
Fall 2013	23,987
Fall 2014	24,623
Fall 2015	24,941
Fall 2016	24,970
Fall 2017	25,550
Fall 2018	26,300
Fall 2019	27,066
Fall 2020	27,053
Fall 2021	26,430
Fall 2022	26,840
Fall 2023	28,113
Fall 2024	29,820

IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

92%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

First-year retention at University of South Carolina-Columbia has held near 92% from Fall 2002 to Fall 2023.

First-year retention — data
Year	Retention
Fall 2002 cohort	84%
Fall 2003 cohort	85%
Fall 2004 cohort	83%
Fall 2005 cohort	86%
Fall 2006 cohort	87%
Fall 2007 cohort	87%
Fall 2008 cohort	87%
Fall 2009 cohort	86%
Fall 2010 cohort	87%
Fall 2011 cohort	87%
Fall 2012 cohort	87%
Fall 2013 cohort	88%
Fall 2014 cohort	87%
Fall 2015 cohort	88%
Fall 2016 cohort	88%
Fall 2017 cohort	88%
Fall 2018 cohort	89%
Fall 2019 cohort	90%
Fall 2020 cohort	87%
Fall 2021 cohort	90%
Fall 2022 cohort	91%
Fall 2023 cohort	92%

IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2002–2023

More about University of South Carolina-Columbia

19.1% of University of South Carolina-Columbia's undergraduates carry Pell grants — the standard federal marker of lower-income enrollment. Carnegie classes University of South Carolina-Columbia as a primarily residential campus of 29,820 undergraduates — and 92.2% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

University of South Carolina-Columbia's SAT section-percentile sums are 1180–1360 — their midpoint is above the SC four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on University of South Carolina-Columbia's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”

key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How University of South Carolina-Columbia compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

University of South Carolina-Columbia60.2%

South Carolina median72.5%

National median76.8%

Tuition (in-state)

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

University of South Carolina-Columbia$12,688

South Carolina median$17,440

National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

University of South Carolina-Columbia's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

University of South Carolina-Columbia$62,177

South Carolina median$44,354

National median$53,781

View comparison data & dates

University of South Carolina-Columbia, South Carolina and national reference values
Metric & basis	University of South Carolina-Columbia	South Carolina median	National median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS	60.2%	72.5%	76.8%
Tuition (in-state)Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid	$12,688	$17,440	$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot	$62,177	$44,354	$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For University of South Carolina-Columbia, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

University of South Carolina-Columbia federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 53 fields & earnings

Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)	Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Computer Engineering	$109,116
International Business	$107,205
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering	$100,042
Chemical Engineering	$98,244
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods	$98,020
Biomedical/Medical Engineering	$97,927
Insurance	$96,539
Business/Managerial Economics	$94,547
Finance and Financial Management Services	$92,578
Mechanical Engineering	$91,296
Accounting and Related Services	$86,507
Computer and Information Sciences, General	$84,720
Real Estate	$84,558
Civil Engineering	$84,148
Marketing	$81,945
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing	$80,768
Economics	$77,536
Business Administration, Management and Operations	$70,527
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences	$70,284
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness	$67,705
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology	$67,202
Political Science and Government	$65,464
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication	$65,248
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations	$64,631
Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences	$63,534
Mathematics	$62,278
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication	$62,214
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions	$61,423
Geography and Cartography	$59,472
Public Health	$58,715
Biology, General	$58,669
Chemistry	$58,462
Hospitality Administration/Management	$56,688
Dance	$55,274
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology	$55,093
International Relations and National Security Studies	$54,781
Journalism	$53,294
Sociology	$53,293
Communication and Media Studies	$53,247
Research and Experimental Psychology	$51,090
Criminal Justice and Corrections	$50,847
Natural Resources Conservation and Research	$50,447
Social Work	$49,401
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities	$48,990
Psychology, General	$47,234
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas	$45,804
History	$45,595
English Language and Literature, General	$45,185
Music	$45,181
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods	$43,687
Anthropology	$42,758
Film/Video and Photographic Arts	$40,962
Fine and Studio Arts	$39,517

These 53 fields listed for University of South Carolina-Columbia measure earnings after completion. The $62,177 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 24 additional University of South Carolina-Columbia fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does University of South Carolina-Columbia report?

University of South Carolina-Columbia's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 1180–1360 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is University of South Carolina-Columbia's acceptance rate?

60.2% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 31,701 admitted from 52,703 applicants.

How much does University of South Carolina-Columbia cost?

In-state tuition is $12,688; out-of-state students pay $35,972. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.

What earnings data does University of South Carolina-Columbia report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $62,177. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

Similar colleges in South Carolina

University of South Carolina Beaufort — 72.5% admitted
University of South Carolina-Lancaster — 83.4% admitted
University of South Carolina Aiken — 78.5% admitted
University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie — 76% admitted

Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.