On Feb. 17, University of South Carolina alumni and advocates will gather at the S.C. State House for Carolina Day to demonstrate how the state flagship is building momentum in producing a more prosperous and healthier South Carolina.
Carolina Day also is a chance to thank state legislators for helping the university continue to fulfill its mission to provide an affordable and accessible education. With generous investments from the General Assembly, the University of South Carolina has been able to freeze tuition for the past seven years on the Columbia campus and eight years at system campuses. The university has requested additional funding to freeze tuition for another year.
“We are grateful for a strong relationship with our General Assembly – a partnership that began 225 years ago with our charter from the state legislature to create South Carolina’s flagship university,” President Michael Amiridis said. “With robust support, we are achieving more, we are growing our impact, and we are setting new records as we serve the state’s citizens as the University FOR South Carolina.”
With assistance from the legislature, USC is creating a transformational Health Sciences Campus near downtown Columbia. USC has begun work on the state’s first standalone hospital and rehabilitation facility fully dedicated to care of the brain and nervous system. The hospital will go along with USC’s new School of Medicine facility, a new Brain Health Center opening this spring and a planned new home for the USC’s College of Pharmacy.
USC wants to increase the number of medical school students to meet the growing need in South Carolina for physicians and surgeons, and expand the number of brain health clinics statewide to address neurological care needs.
With robust support, we are achieving more, we are growing our impact, and we are
setting new records as we serve the state’s citizens as the University FOR South Carolina.”
The university also continues to push ahead on developing next-generation batteries through the federally designated SC Nexus advanced energy tech hub. USC is seeking legislative backing for a new battery center that would support the state’s $10 billion electric vehicle and battery industry investments.
The university’s growing emphasis on brain health and battery innovation comes after USC generated a school-record $323 million in research awards during 2024-2025.
USC is also seeking continued backing for stipends through the South Carolina Internship Program, which allows students from across the USC system to take in-state internships in high-demand fields. The program, which helps bolster the state workforce by retaining talent in-state, has already drawn more than 1,800 USC students in less than three years.
Supporting these projects and initiatives will build on USC’s momentum as a major engine for the state. USC is generating $7.4 billion in annual economic impact with purchases, payroll and taxes.
The state flagship's enrollment continues to grow with USC recognized as the top public college nationally for its first-year student experience. USC has more than 60 nationally ranked academic programs — more than any other institution in the state.
During Carolina Day 2026 on Feb. 17, faculty, staff and students are invited to join by sharing their own stories of how the university has impacted their life. Follow online at @UofSCImpact on X and share success stories by using the Carolina Day social media toolkit and adding the hashtag, #USCImpact.