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The University is a great buy in quality education. Compare the costs, and you'll find that tuition and living expenses at Carolina are competitive with other southeastern state universities. In fact, the University offers financial assistance to more than 90 percent of its undergraduate students. Barron's Best Buys in College Education compares the University of South Carolina favorably with selected top colleges and universities in the nation. Carolina was also named in Kiplinger's Top 100 Best Buys for 2006.

Last year, 95% of our freshman class received some form of financial aid, and approximately 45% received a merit-based scholarship. Recently, Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine named the University of South Carolina as one of the “100 Best Values in Public Education.” That’s not the only list you’ll find us on— U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of South Carolina as one of the best national public institutions. When your son or daughter attends Carolina, you’ll find that excellence doesn’t have to be expensive.

The University has also been recognized in Kaplan Publishing's The Unofficial, Unbiased Guide to the 328 Most Interesting Colleges, 2004 Edition as a top school in the following area: schools that offer the best value for tuition dollar. Students who are recognized as a National Merit Finalists, National Achievement Finalists, National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholars are eligible to receive the Lieber Scholarship, worth $10,000 annually for in-state students and $6,000 for out-of-state students. For more information about Carolina's scholarship opportunities as well as financial aid programs, please visit our Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships .

State Scholarship Programs (South Carolina residents only)

The state of South Carolina offers financial assistance to a majority of South Carolina residents who enroll at USC, ranging in financial value from $2,650-$6,700. The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship, the LIFE Scholarship, and the HOPE Scholarship are awarded to South Carolina residents who meet certain eligibility requirements.

Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Guidelines
LIFE Scholarship Guidelines
HOPE Scholarship Guidelines

Fees and Expenses

The estimated expenses outlined below do not include financial aid or scholarship awards. These estimated costs are to help students to anticipate expenses. Some students will spend more than the typical amounts, others less, depending on individual lifestyles and circumstances. A student’s eligibility for financial aid, however, will not be based on individual preferences and spending habits, but on the standard budget allowances.

NOTES:

• Estimates for housing and meals include a range of costs dependent on individual selection.
• Additional academic fees apply to certain majors.
• Tuition, fees, housing, and meal plan expenses are subject to change by the Board of Trustees at any time.
• The data presented here is estimated solely for the convenience of prospective students and their families. Current students should view specific semester information. Survey data gatherers should contact the Office of Institutional Assessment and Compliance for official University data.

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