KIPLINGER'S
Kiplinger's Personal Finance has cited Carolina as one of the “100 Best Values in Public Colleges.” USC was ranked No. 31 among schools “where students can receive a stellar education without graduating with a mountain of debt.”
Tuition for the 2005-2006 academic year was approximately $7,314 for in-state students and approximately $18,956 for out-of-state students. About 96 percent of in-state resident freshmen received a state scholarship or need-based financial aid this past academic year. Overall, USC offers financial assistance to more than 90 percent of its undergraduates.
USC is attracting higher-caliber students. Average SAT scores have gone up 99 points in the past 10 years. Incoming freshmen in 2005-2006 had an average score of 1166, and the University's most elite students have far higher scores. Averages for freshmen were 1310 in the new Capstone Scholars program, 1404 for those enrolling in the South Carolina Honors College, 1454 for McNair Scholars (the top out-of-state scholars), and 1471 for Carolina Scholars (top in-state scholars).
Carolina students have also been highly competitive when competing for national scholarships and fellowships. Since 1994, students have earned more than 300 awards totaling more than $8 million. Five students have been named Goldwater Scholars the past two years, and in 2006 the University had a Truman Scholar, four Fulbright Scholars, and three National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellows among its honorees.
Carolina is also retaining its top students. Two-thirds of recipients of state lottery-funded LIFE and Palmetto Fellows scholarships maintain their grades and keep their scholarships.
The University has seven general scholarships for residents and six for nonresidents—including the Carolina and McNair Scholarships—and 500 Capstone Scholarships for freshmen regardless of residence. The HOPE Scholarship is a third state-funded scholarship for residents. A host of departmental scholarships are also available.