Palmetto State News

The University of South Carolina will freeze tuition systemwide for the 2022-23 academic year, marking the fourth consecutive year the state's leading institution has maintained the same cost for tuition, according to a university press release.

Interim President Harris Pastides said that announcing tuition costs for the next academic year now rather than June will help students and families prepare for the future.

“The global pandemic has led to prolonged budget uncertainty for many South Carolina families,” Pastides said in the release. “I hope that we can give some comfort to both current and future students that we recognize these challenges and that our institution is committed to offering affordable degree programs.”

While tuition will remain $6,344 for in-state residents and $16,964 for non-residents on the Columbia campus, the majority of students will pay less due to the availability of need- and merit-based scholarships.

Currently, more than 97% of freshmen and more than 90% of undergraduate students receive scholarships and financial aid.

UofSC, which was awarded the Best Value School by US News & World  Report in 2022, is also one of Kiplinger's Best Values in Public Colleges. Approximately half of its students graduate debt-free, compared to roughly 30% nationwide.

According to the UofSC's tuition and aid website, the estimated yearly cost in 2021-22 was approximately $26,822, which includes $12,688 in tuition, $8,654 in housing, $4,254 in food expenses, and $1,226 in books and supplies.

Individuals seeking financial aid must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which starts each year on Oct. 1, and must be completed by April 1.