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Is University of South Carolina-Columbia worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for University of South Carolina-Columbia, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Workable
University of South Carolina-Columbia lands in the workable band for a typical family. Median debt of $21,500 can be carried by median long-run earnings of $62,177, but the margin is not huge. For context, University of South Carolina-Columbia's net price sits about 98% above the typical 4-year, public school and near the top of its sector range. This is the kind of school where your actual aid offer can move the answer meaningfully.
Is the price fair?
Compared to 774 similar 4-year, public schools
This school
$26,068
/yrAverage school like this
$13,155
/yrThis significantly impacts your Worth-It Score
You'd pay about $12,914 more per year than the typical student at a similar school. Over 4 years that's roughly $52,000 in extra cost.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
The outcome data is workable, but not so strong that it erases financing risk.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$22,811
Median earnings 10 years out
$62,177
Median debt at graduation
$21,500
Graduation rate
78%
At University of South Carolina-Columbia, a typical graduate carries about $21,500 in student debt and earns roughly $62,177 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $244 per month, or 5% of pre-tax income. That sits inside a borrower comfort range for many graduates.
What this means for your family
University of South Carolina-Columbia is a public four year school in Columbia, SC. For many families, the key question is whether the published value here beats cheaper in state or regional alternatives once your real aid offer arrives.
Similar schools worth comparing
These schools share a similar sector, geography, or price range.
Public 4-year
Clemson
Clemson, SC
Worth-It Score: 82/100
Median net price: $22,253
Public 4-year
Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Charleston, SC
Worth-It Score: 78/100
Median net price: $20,723
Public 4-year
College of Charleston
Charleston, SC
Worth-It Score: 66/100
Median net price: $18,960
Public 4-year
South Carolina State
Orangeburg, SC
Worth-It Score: 37/100
Median net price: $18,097
Public 4-year
Lander
Greenwood, SC
Worth-It Score: 54/100
Median net price: $15,363
Common questions about University of South Carolina-Columbia
The median net price at University of South Carolina-Columbia is $22,811 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
Looking at public universities options in South Carolina? See the most affordable public universities in South Carolina →
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →