University of South Carolina Maintains In-State Tuition Freeze and Increases Out-of-State Cost

University of South Carolina Maintains In-State Tuition Freeze and Increases Out-of-State Cost

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The University of South Carolina (USC) will continue its in-state tuition freeze while simultaneously raising tuition for non-residents, the institution announced Sunday. The decision, marking the fifth consecutive year of an in-state tuition freeze, follows approval of a new annual budget by the USC Board of Trustees.

Price Decisions Affecting State and Non-State Students

The move retains the per-semester tuition rate at $6,344 for resident students at USC’s Columbia campus. Conversely, non-resident student tuition will experience a 3% rise, putting it at $17,467.

“This is a fiscally responsible budget that prioritizes the needs of our students to gain meaningful skills while also reflecting USC’s mission of service to the entire state,” commented USC Board Chairman Thad Westbrook.

New Investments Unveiled

In tandem with the tuition announcement, USC disclosed several significant investments. These include an allocation of $4.5 million to its student internship program, the establishment of a Brain Health Center at the forthcoming Health Science Campus with a $30 million funding, $29 million for renovation and construction at the Science and Technology area of the Columbia campus, and an investment of $4.45 million for teacher recruitment and retention.

Comparable Moves by Other Universities

USC’s in-state tuition freeze aligns with a similar decision taken by Clemson University last Thursday. Clemson also declared a freeze in in-state tuition at $7,019 per semester while increasing out-of-state tuition by 3.5 percent to roughly $19,656.

Both institutions’ decisions reflect an ongoing trend of prioritizing in-state students for affordability while balancing budgets through adjustments to out-of-state tuition.