Cost & ROI · 2026
Is University of South Carolina-Columbia worth it?
Pay $22,811/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $62,177 ten years out — about 2.7× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: C.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
University of South Carolina-Columbia vs South Carolina avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical South Carolina college and the typical US college.
| Metric | University of South Carolina-Columbia | South Carolina avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▼ $22,811 | $16,627 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▲ $62,177 | $45,070 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▼ $21,500 | $22,931 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▲ 78.8% | 44.6% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▼ 60.2% | 72.6% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $126,552 over four years. Most students get $8,827/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $21,500 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 35% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median University of South Carolina-Columbia grad earns about $687,080 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about University of South Carolina-Columbia
The average student at University of South Carolina-Columbia pays $22,811 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $31,638 published sticker price. That is above the SC average net price of $16,627.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $62,177 — above the SC median of $45,070. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $21,500, roughly $233 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a manageable load at about 35% of one year's median earnings.
Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at University of South Carolina-Columbia?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $22,811 per year. That's $8,827/yr in financial aid against the $31,638 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $91,244.
How much do University of South Carolina-Columbia graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, University of South Carolina-Columbia graduates earn a median of $62,177 per year — above the national average of $50,834. That's about 2.7× the annual net cost.
How much debt do University of South Carolina-Columbia graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $21,500 — about $233/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 41.1% of students take federal loans.
Is University of South Carolina-Columbia worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns University of South Carolina-Columbia a value grade of C — top 57% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $22,811/yr, earn $62,177/yr ten years out, ROI score of 6.81. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at University of South Carolina-Columbia?
19.1% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 41.1% take federal student loans. On average, students get $8,827 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at University of South Carolina-Columbia?
In-state tuition is $12,688 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $35,972 per year — a difference of $23,284/yr or $93,136 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at University of South Carolina-Columbia?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $12,634. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $28,125. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →