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Net Price of South Carolina Colleges by Income

Cost of South Carolina Colleges Zoom In

Source: National Center for Educational Statistics. This is the most recent data available as of January 2023

Questions & Answers

What do all these numbers mean?

All costs shown here are the average net cost paid by families in each income bracket for one year at the college in question. Net cost is the total cost of attendance for one year, minus government grants and institutional scholarships. Figures are based on data from the 2020-21 school year, which is the latest available as of January 2023.

What is “Total Cost” on the chart?

Total cost is the total cost of attendance for one year at that particular college. It includes:

  • Tuition and fees (in-state tuition for public schools)
  • Room and board (on campus)
  • Books and supplies
  • Other expenses (travel and personal)

There are detailed chart below for each school that shows these expenses. Click here to go to the individual cost breakdown for schools.

How can I use this information?

This information is useful for building a realistic college budget. It's a good place to start until you better understand your specific circumstances. For example, let's say your income is $100,000 per year. This chart shows that the average state school would run $20,158 and the average private school would be $23,167. You can also get information on specific South Carolina schools in the chart above or the tables below.

Will my family pay the amount on this chart?

Probably not. The numbers are averages. You may be below average or above average. However, there are two key points we can learn from this data:

  1. Families with higher incomes ($75,000-$110,000 and $110,000+) will most likely pay close to full price at the public schools.
  2. Private colleges have a higher list price but offer more discounts. This brings their net price much closer to the cost of state-funded schools.

Where did this information come from?

As part of federal financial aid, colleges are required to provide detailed cost information to the U.S. government. This data is made available to the public through the National Center for Education Statistics. For more details, click here.

What about athletes, merit aid or minority students?

Athletes, high achieving students, and those with minority status are averaged in with everyone else. Within each income bracket, there are families that pay more than average and families that pay less than average.

The costs on this chart seem large. How can families afford to pay it?

For many families paying for college is not easy, but in the end they figure out. Most families will pay their net cost of college with some combination of:

  • College savings and investments
  • Payments from current income
  • Loans
  • Outside scholarships (check out the Scholarship Guide For Busy Parents to learn how your student can win scholarships)
  • Tax planning
  • Student work
Cost of South Carolina Schools Explanation

Net Price:

Net prices is the total cost of attendance for one year, minus the average amount in government grants and institutional scholarships the school awards. This is an average, so you may pay above the average or below the average. Your exact net price is likely to be different and sometimes drastically different.

Most families will pay the net price with some combination of savings and investments, current income and various loans. Some students will also receive scholarships from sources other than the federal or state government or the college. Any scholarships and grants from these outside sources are not included in the data. However, government grants and institutional scholarships are included in the averages.

Total Cost at University of South Carolina-Columbia (2020-21)
Tuition and Fees $12,688
Room and Board $10,962
Books $1,085
Other Expenses $4,386
Total $29,121

Total Cost:

Total cost is the total cost of attendance for that particular institution for the 2020-21 school year. This is the latest data available as of January 2023. Total costs include:

  • Tuition and fees (in-state tuition for public schools)
  • Room and board (on campus)
  • Books and supplies
  • Other expenses (travel and personal)

College Total Cost
Family Income SC Public $27,750 SC Private $44,703
$0 - $30k $12,999 $17,556
$30,001 – $48k $14,600 $19,106
$48,001 – $75k $17,737 $21,186
$75,001 – $110k $20,158 $23,167
$110,001+ $21,121 $26,660

Public vs. Private Averages

This table shows the average total cost of attendance for the South Carolina public and private colleges we have included in our analysis. The costs include a breakdown of the average net price paid by family income. Notice that the average private college is $4,000-$6,000 more than the average public school, depending on your income bracket. It is important to stress that these are averages. Most families will not be average, and their individual circumstances could be drastically different. I encourage all families to work with their preferred colleges to get information specific to their family.

Below are similar charts for each individual private and public college in South Carolina. Click a school to view its complete chart.

Public SC Schools Cost Breakdown

  • College of Charleston

    Charleston
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $12,978 $12,978
    Room and Board $12,959 $12,959
    Books $1,262 $1,262
    Other Expenses $3,954 $3,954
    Total $31,153 $31,153
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $12,945 $12,945
    $30,001 - $48k $14,215 $14,215
    $48,001 - $75k $17,784 $17,784
    $75,001 - $110k $21,464 $21,464
    $110,001+ $23,932 $23,932
  • Citadel Military College of South Carolina

    Charleston
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $12,620 $12,570
    Room and Board $7,332 $7,593
    Books $8,144 $8,144
    Other Expenses $2,304 $2,383
    Total $30,400 $30,690
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $13,987 $14,120
    $30,001 - $48k $14,807 $14,948
    $48,001 - $75k $20,265 $20,458
    $75,001 - $110k $22,089 $22,300
    $110,001+ $21,809 $22,017
  • Clemson University

    Clemson
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $15,558 $15,558
    Room and Board $11,850 $12,234
    Books $1,188 $1,248
    Other Expenses $4,284 $5,124
    Total $32,880 $34,164
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $13,872 $14,414
    $30,001 - $48k $15,717 $16,331
    $48,001 - $75k $20,834 $21,648
    $75,001 - $110k $24,773 $25,740
    $110,001+ $25,868 $26,878
  • Francis Marion University

    Florence
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $11,160 $11,160
    Room and Board $8,230 $8,230
    Books $1,138 $1,245
    Other Expenses $3,716 $3,716
    Total $24,244 $24,351
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $10,877 $10,925
    $30,001 - $48k $11,809 $11,861
    $48,001 - $75k $14,985 $15,051
    $75,001 - $110k $16,612 $16,685
    $110,001+ $17,437 $17,514
  • Lander University

    Greenwood
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $11,700 $11,700
    Room and Board $10,570 $10,650
    Books $1,200 $1,200
    Other Expenses $2,770 $2,770
    Total $26,240 $26,320
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $14,315 $14,359
    $30,001 - $48k $15,666 $15,714
    $48,001 - $75k $16,750 $16,801
    $75,001 - $110k $18,919 $18,977
    $110,001+ $19,227 $19,286
  • University of South Carolina-Aiken

    Aiken
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $10,760 $10,760
    Room and Board $7,946 $8,202
    Books $1,240 $1,240
    Other Expenses $2,835 $2,835
    Total $22,781 $23,037
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $8,551 $8,647
    $30,001 - $48k $10,420 $10,537
    $48,001 - $75k $14,389 $14,551
    $75,001 - $110k $15,884 $16,062
    $110,001+ $16,404 $16,588
  • University of South Carolina-Beaufort

    Bluffton
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $10,730 $10,730
    Room and Board $8,440 $8,440
    Books $1,266 $1,266
    Other Expenses $4,055 $4,055
    Total $24,491 $24,491
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $11,856 $11,856
    $30,001 - $48k $13,815 $13,815
    $48,001 - $75k $17,086 $17,086
    $75,001 - $110k $18,548 $18,548
    $110,001+ $18,998 $18,998
  • University of South Carolina-Columbia

    Columbia
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $12,688 $12,688
    Room and Board $10,962 $10,990
    Books $1,085 $1,085
    Other Expenses $4,386 $4,386
    Total $29,121 $29,149
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $12,610 $12,622
    $30,001 - $48k $16,370 $16,386
    $48,001 - $75k $19,976 $19,995
    $75,001 - $110k $22,375 $22,397
    $110,001+ $24,716 $24,740
  • Coastal Carolina University

    Conway
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $11,640 $11,640
    Room and Board $9,890 $10,032
    Books $1,098 $1,126
    Other Expenses $3,548 $3,882
    Total $26,176 $26,680
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $10,803 $11,011
    $30,001 - $48k $12,458 $12,698
    $48,001 - $75k $15,030 $15,319
    $75,001 - $110k $17,713 $18,054
    $110,001+ $19,012 $19,378
  • South Carolina State University

    Orangeburg
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $11,060 $11,060
    Room and Board $9,000 $9,000
    Books $2,000 $2,000
    Other Expenses $8,000 $8,000
    Total $30,060 $30,060
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $19,718 $19,718
    $30,001 - $48k $21,339 $21,339
    $48,001 - $75k $21,580 $21,580
    $75,001 - $110k $25,748 $25,748
    $110,001+ $26,035 $26,035
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate

    Spartanburg
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $11,583 $11,583
    Room and Board $8,598 $9,328
    Books $1,600 $1,600
    Other Expenses $3,637 $3,637
    Total $25,418 $26,148
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $12,068 $12,415
    $30,001 - $48k $12,810 $13,178
    $48,001 - $75k $16,281 $16,749
    $75,001 - $110k $18,574 $19,107
    $110,001+ $19,236 $19,788
  • Winthrop University

    Rock Hill
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $15,836 $15,846
    Room and Board $9,810 $10,200
    Books $1,200 $1,200
    Other Expenses $3,184 $3,260
    Total $30,030 $30,506
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $14,387 $14,615
    $30,001 - $48k $15,779 $16,029
    $48,001 - $75k $17,881 $18,164
    $75,001 - $110k $19,201 $19,505
    $110,001+ $20,783 $21,112

Private SC Schools Cost Breakdown

  • Allen University

    Columbia
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $13,340 $13,340
    Room and Board $7,894 $7,894
    Books $1,000 $1,000
    Other Expenses $2,000 $2,000
    Total $24,234 $24,234
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $12,849 $12,849
    $30,001 - $48k $12,675 $12,675
    $48,001 - $75k $14,108 $14,108
    $75,001 - $110k $17,094 $17,094
    $110,001+ $16,052 $16,052
  • Anderson University

    Anderson
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $29,980 $30,720
    Room and Board $10,640 $10,900
    Books $1,200 $1,200
    Other Expenses $3,796 $3,864
    Total $45,616 $46,684
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $16,209 $16,588
    $30,001 - $48k $15,800 $16,170
    $48,001 - $75k $20,616 $21,099
    $75,001 - $110k $22,148 $22,667
    $110,001+ $23,837 $24,395
  • Charleston Southern

    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $28,100 $28,930
    Room and Board $10,400 $11,032
    Books $0 $0
    Other Expenses $4,460 $4,460
    Total $42,960 $44,422
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $17,173 $17,757
    $30,001 - $48k $15,225 $15,743
    $48,001 - $75k $14,813 $15,317
    $75,001 - $110k $18,923 $19,567
    $110,001+ $19,214 $19,868
  • Benedict College

    Columbia
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $17,200 $17,200
    Room and Board $6,600 $6,600
    Books $1,000 $1,000
    Other Expenses $2,202 $5,200
    Total $27,002 $30,000
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $12,430 $13,810
    $30,001 - $48k $10,562 $11,735
    $48,001 - $75k $10,772 $11,968
    $75,001 - $110k $14,861 $16,511
    $110,001+ $20,777 $23,084
  • Claflin University

    Orangeburg
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $17,046 $17,046
    Room and Board $9,480 $9,480
    Books $1,900 $1,900
    Other Expenses $5,250 $5,250
    Total $33,676 $33,676
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $19,180 $19,180
    $30,001 - $48k $19,286 $19,286
    $48,001 - $75k $22,590 $22,590
    $75,001 - $110k $24,546 $24,546
    $110,001+ $25,737 $25,737
  • Coker College

    Hartsville
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $31,524 $31,524
    Room and Board $9,892 $9,892
    Books $2,000 $2,000
    Other Expenses $1,448 $1,448
    Total $44,864 $44,864
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $14,141 $14,141
    $30,001 - $48k $15,312 $15,312
    $48,001 - $75k $16,890 $16,890
    $75,001 - $110k $21,191 $21,191
    $110,001+ $33,697 $33,697
  • Columbia International University

    Columbia
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $24,650 $25,590
    Room and Board $8,950 $8,950
    Books $600 $600
    Other Expenses $3,710 $3,710
    Total $37,910 $38,850
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $20,768 $21,283
    $30,001 - $48k $16,688 $17,102
    $48,001 - $75k $18,973 $19,443
    $75,001 - $110k $19,223 $19,700
    $110,001+ $24,846 $25,462
  • Columbia College

    Columbia
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $20,690 $20,880
    Room and Board $8,300 $8,320
    Books $1,268 $1,240
    Other Expenses $5,100 $5,358
    Total $35,358 $35,798
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $17,935 $18,158
    $30,001 - $48k $23,702 $23,997
    $48,001 - $75k $23,406 $23,697
    $75,001 - $110k $20,867 $21,127
    $110,001+ $25,507 $25,824
  • Converse College

    Spartanburg
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $20,500 $19,850
    Room and Board $11,600 $11,948
    Books $1,500 $1,350
    Other Expenses $3,610 $3,700
    Total $37,210 $36,848
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $14,305 $14,166
    $30,001 - $48k $15,054 $14,908
    $48,001 - $75k $21,436 $21,227
    $75,001 - $110k $19,071 $18,885
    $110,001+ $19,457 $19,268
  • Erskine College

    Due West
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $36,510 $36,510
    Room and Board $11,465 $11,465
    Books $2,100 $2,100
    Other Expenses $3,900 $3,900
    Total $53,975 $53,975
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $30,426 $30,426
    $30,001 - $48k $39,560 $39,560
    $48,001 - $75k $41,630 $41,630
    $75,001 - $110k $42,008 $42,008
    $110,001+ $45,394 $45,394
  • Furman University

    Greenville
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $52,092 $53,372
    Room and Board $13,362 $13,698
    Books $810 $810
    Other Expenses $1,970 $2,000
    Total $68,234 $69,880
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $9,934 $10,174
    $30,001 - $48k $18,331 $18,773
    $48,001 - $75k $20,509 $21,004
    $75,001 - $110k $25,643 $26,262
    $110,001+ $34,641 $35,477
  • Limestone College

    Gaffney
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $26,300 $26,300
    Room and Board $9,900 $10,645
    Books $2,304 $2,304
    Other Expenses $4,232 $4,232
    Total $42,736 $43,481
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $20,484 $20,841
    $30,001 - $48k $18,121 $18,437
    $48,001 - $75k $21,397 $21,770
    $75,001 - $110k $24,997 $25,433
    $110,001+ $26,069 $26,523
  • Newberry College

    Newberry
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $28,150 $28,250
    Room and Board $11,300 $11,700
    Books $850 $900
    Other Expenses $3,606 $2,982
    Total $43,906 $43,832
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $15,226 $15,200
    $30,001 - $48k $15,827 $15,800
    $48,001 - $75k $19,819 $19,786
    $75,001 - $110k $20,879 $20,844
    $110,001+ $23,545 $23,505
  • North Greenville University

    Tigerville
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $22,050 $22,470
    Room and Board $10,500 $10,640
    Books $2,240 $2,240
    Other Expenses $4,970 $4,970
    Total $39,760 $40,320
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $16,791 $17,027
    $30,001 - $48k $18,684 $18,947
    $48,001 - $75k $19,103 $19,372
    $75,001 - $110k $20,868 $21,162
    $110,001+ $21,944 $22,253
  • Presbyterian College

    Clinton
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $40,260 $41,080
    Room and Board $10,900 $11,100
    Books $1,200 $1,200
    Other Expenses $2,570 $2,570
    Total $54,930 $55,950
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $19,781 $20,148
    $30,001 - $48k $18,235 $18,574
    $48,001 - $75k $19,331 $19,690
    $75,001 - $110k $20,238 $20,614
    $110,001+ $26,054 $26,538
  • Voorhees College

    Denmark
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $12,630 $12,630
    Room and Board $7,346 $7,346
    Books $1,500 $1,500
    Other Expenses $4,860 $4,860
    Total $26,336 $26,336
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $14,207 $14,207
    $30,001 - $48k $10,269 $10,269
    $48,001 - $75k $17,174 $17,174
    $75,001 - $110k $0 $0
    $110,001+ $0 $0
  • Wofford College

    Spartanburg
    Year 2020-21 2021-22
    Tuition and Fees $47,650 $49,550
    Room and Board $13,790 $14,345
    Books $1,200 $1,200
    Other Expenses $2,543 $2,543
    Total $65,183 $67,638
    Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated)
    $0-$30k $18,141 $18,824
    $30,001 - $48k $24,088 $24,995
    $48,001 - $75k $23,166 $24,039
    $75,001 - $110k $29,807 $30,930
    $110,001+ $33,901 $35,178
 

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