South Carolina Student Loans, Financial Aid & College Costs
South Carolina College Cost Snapshot (2025-26)
Published tuition and cost-of-attendance averages across South Carolina institutions.
Top South Carolina Colleges by Published Tuition (2025-26)
Tuition and fees only. Click any column header to sort.
| School ↕ | Type ↕ | In-state T&F ↕ | Out-of-state T&F ↕ | Undergrad Enroll. ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Carolina (Columbia) | Public 4-yr | $12,688 | $34,178 | 26,700 |
| Clemson University | Public 4-yr | $15,708 | $39,040 | 22,600 |
| College of Charleston | Public 4-yr | $13,070 | $34,298 | 9,300 |
| Coastal Carolina | Public 4-yr | $11,980 | $28,012 | 9,200 |
| Winthrop University | Public 4-yr | $17,210 | $32,040 | 4,400 |
| SC State University | Public 4-yr | $11,060 | $22,960 | 2,500 |
| Furman University | Private | $60,528 | $60,528 | 2,400 |
| Wofford College | Private | $54,610 | $54,610 | 1,800 |
| Trident Technical College | Community | $4,800 | $10,040 | 10,000 |
South Carolina State-Funded Aid Programs
Administered by the SC Commission on Higher Education (CHE) and SC Student Loan Corporation.
Palmetto Fellows Scholarship
For SC's top-performing high school grads with 3.5+ GPA and 1200+ SAT. Renewable for 4 years.
LIFE Scholarship
Merit scholarship for SC residents meeting GPA, SAT, and class-rank requirements at eligible SC schools.
HOPE Scholarship
One-year merit scholarship for freshmen not eligible for LIFE, at eligible SC 4-year institutions.
SC Need-based Grant
Need-based grant for SC residents attending eligible in-state institutions.
SC Lottery Tuition Assistance
Lottery-funded tuition assistance at SC technical colleges.
Student Loan Options for South Carolina Students
Start with federal aid before considering private loans. Federal borrower protections are stronger and rates are fixed.
Does South Carolina have a state student loan program?
Yes. South Carolina offers the SC Student Loan — a state-affiliated nonprofit lender. South Carolina Student Loan Corporation is a nonprofit lender offering the Palmetto Assistance Loan, a fixed-rate private student loan for SC residents and for non-residents attending eligible SC schools. South Carolina residents should still start with federal loans through the FAFSA, but the SCSL is worth comparing alongside national private lenders.
The order to follow
- File the FAFSA to unlock federal Pell Grants, South Carolina state grants, and Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans.
- Apply scholarships and 529 savings before borrowing a dollar. Every $1,000 in free aid saves roughly $1,400 in total loan cost over 10 years.
- Max federal Direct Loans next. Fixed rates, income-driven repayment, and forgiveness programs aren't available on private loans.
- Compare private student loans only for any remaining gap. Shop at least 3 lenders; cosigner rates typically run 1-3 points lower.
Private Student Loan Lenders We Recommend
If you've exhausted federal aid and still need to borrow, these are the lenders we track for rates and terms.
Credible
One form, prequalified offers from multiple private lenders. Shop rates without multiple hard credit pulls.
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Get A Quote At College Ave →Sallie Mae
Long-established lender with options for undergraduate, graduate, and career training programs.
See Sallie Mae Rates →Advertiser disclosure: The College Investor earns a commission from some of the lenders listed above. Our rankings are independent — compensation does not influence order or editorial recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from South Carolina students and families.
How much does college cost in South Carolina?
Average in-state tuition and fees at South Carolina public four-year universities is about $13,100 for 2025-26. Total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses) averages roughly $27,800 on campus for South Carolina residents and $39,400 for non-residents.
What is the average student loan debt in South Carolina?
South Carolina borrowers carry an average federal student loan balance of roughly $38,600. Total outstanding federal student debt for South Carolina residents is approximately $28.1 billion.
Does South Carolina offer state-funded college grants?
Yes. SC has one of the more robust merit-based systems: Palmetto Fellows (up to $7,500 for top students), LIFE Scholarship (up to $5,000), HOPE (freshman year, up to $2,800), plus need-based grants and Lottery Tuition Assistance for technical colleges.
Does South Carolina have a state student loan program?
Yes. SC Student Loan is a state-affiliated nonprofit lender serving South Carolina residents. South Carolina Student Loan Corporation is a nonprofit lender offering the Palmetto Assistance Loan, a fixed-rate private student loan for SC residents and for non-residents attending eligible SC schools.
Which South Carolina colleges have the lowest in-state tuition?
SC technical colleges average $4,800 per year in tuition and fees, with Lottery Tuition Assistance often covering much of that. SC State University is lowest among four-year publics at $11,060. Winthrop is the highest in-state public at $17,210.
What scholarships are available for South Carolina residents?
Key awards include Palmetto Fellows, LIFE, HOPE, SC Need-based Grant, and Lottery Tuition Assistance. Furman and Wofford offer strong institutional aid.
Related South Carolina Resources
How We Sourced This Data
- Institutional cost pages at South Carolina public universities (2025-26 published rates)
- Education Data Initiative state-level debt and cost tables
- SC CHE and SC Student Loan program pages
- NCES IPEDS data for enrollment and institutional cost profiles
Editor: Clint Proctor Reviewed by: Chris Muller