South Carolina College Tuition Trends from 2015 to 2025

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Tuition trends by school type and level for South Carolina colleges

There are 45 four-year colleges and universities in South Carolina—14 public institutions and 31 private institutions. This page summarizes average tuition & fees and how costs have changed over time based on the latest available IPEDS data.

Undergraduate Tuition Trends

Public colleges: In 2025, average in-state tuition & fees are $12,159, while out-of-state tuition & fees are $27,436. Year-over-year, in-state costs changed by -0.80% and out-of-state costs changed by 1.00%. Since 2015, cumulative growth is 12.46% (in-state) and 20.15% (out-of-state).

Private colleges: The average tuition & fees are $25,189 in 2025. That is a 3.39% change from last year and 20.06% cumulative growth since 2015.

Graduate Tuition Trends

Public graduate schools: In 2025, average in-state graduate tuition & fees are $13,499, while out-of-state graduate tuition & fees are $24,429. Year-over-year, in-state costs changed by 1.48% and out-of-state costs changed by -5.66%. Since 2015, cumulative growth is 12.89% (in-state) and 5.80% (out-of-state).

Private graduate schools: The average graduate tuition & fees are $17,128 in 2025. That is a 2.59% change from last year and 36.23% cumulative growth since 2015.

Public vs. private comparison (increase rates): In 2025, private undergraduate tuition changed by 3.39% year-over-year. Public undergraduate in-state changed by -0.80% (lower by 4.19 percentage points vs. private), and public out-of-state changed by 1.00% (lower by 2.39 percentage points vs. private). Over the full period since 2015, private undergraduate tuition grew by 20.06%, compared with public in-state 12.46% (lower by 7.60 percentage points vs. private) and public out-of-state 20.15% (higher by 0.08 percentage points vs. private).

Graduate comparison: In 2025, private graduate tuition changed by 2.59% year-over-year. Public graduate in-state changed by 1.48% (lower by 1.11 percentage points vs. private), and public graduate out-of-state changed by -5.66% (lower by 8.25 percentage points vs. private). Since 2015, private graduate tuition grew by 36.23%, compared with public graduate in-state 12.89% (lower by 23.35 percentage points vs. private) and public graduate out-of-state 5.80% (lower by 30.43 percentage points vs. private).

COA Trends

Undergraduate cost of attendance change by school type (tuition & fees + room & board): In 2025, estimated on-campus COA is $27,712 (public in-state), $42,989 (public out-of-state), and $40,742 (private). Year-over-year, on-campus COA changed by 2.56%, 2.53%, and 4.13%, respectively. Since 2015, cumulative on-campus COA growth is 22.33% (public in-state), 23.97% (public out-of-state), and 24.13% (private).

Off-campus COA: In 2025, estimated off-campus COA is $28,481 (public in-state), $43,757 (public out-of-state), and $41,510 (private). Year-over-year, off-campus COA changed by 4.14%, 3.56%, and 5.21%. Since 2015, cumulative off-campus COA growth is 23.37% (public in-state), 24.63% (public out-of-state), and 24.83% (private).

Tuition & Fees Trends of South Carolina Colleges from 2015 to 2025

The tables and charts below show how average college tuition and fees have changed in South Carolina from 2015 through 2025.

All figures are based on the latest available IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) data published by the U.S. Department of Education. To keep the comparisons consistent, these averages reflect 4-year colleges and universities in South Carolina and exclude most community colleges and trade schools due to differences in reporting and availability.

Under. (Public) Under. (Private) Graduate (Public) Graduate (Private)
For South Carolina public schools, the 2025 undergraduate in-state tuition & fees are $12,159 which has increased by 12.46% over the current decade and the out-of-state cost is $27,436 which has risen by 20.15%. In average, the rate of increase in tuition is 2.01% while last year increase rate was 1.00%.
Table. Undergraduate Tuition Trends (Public Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for South Carolina Colleges
2015-20162016-20172017-20182018-20192019-20202020-20212021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025
In-State Costs$11,064$11,432$11,808$12,107$12,181$12,175$12,172$12,223$12,257$12,159
Year-to-Year Rates2.33%3.33%3.29%2.54%0.60%-0.05%-0.02%0.42%0.28%-0.80%
Cumulative Rates2.33%5.73%9.21%11.98%12.65%12.60%12.58%13.05%13.36%12.46%
Out-of-State Costs$23,405$24,145$24,896$25,605$26,004$26,081$26,422$26,723$27,164$27,436
Year-to-Year Rates2.49%3.17%3.11%2.84%1.56%0.30%1.31%1.14%1.65%1.00%
Cumulative Rates2.49%5.73%9.02%12.12%13.87%14.21%15.70%17.02%18.95%20.15%
For private schools in South Carolina state, the 2025 undergraduate tuition & fees are $25,189 which has increased by 20.06% over the current decade. In average, the rate of increase in tuition is 2.01% while last year increase rate was 3.39%.
Table. Undergraduate Tuition Trends (Private Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for South Carolina Colleges
2015-20162016-20172017-20182018-20192019-20202020-20212021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025
Tuition & Fees$21,415$22,535$22,618$21,770$23,684$22,827$23,184$23,802$24,363$25,189
Year-to-Year Rates2.07%5.23%0.37%-3.75%8.79%-3.62%1.56%2.66%2.36%3.39%
Cumulative Rates2.07%7.41%7.81%3.77%12.89%8.80%10.50%13.45%16.12%20.06%
The average graduate school tuition & fees of South Carolina public schools are $13,499 which has increased by 12.89% over the current decade and the out-of-state graduate cost is $24,429 which has risen by 5.80%. In average, the rate of increase in graduate tuition is 0.58% while last year increase rate was -5.66%.
Table. Graduate Tuition Trends (Public Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for South Carolina Colleges
2015-20162016-20172017-20182018-20192019-20202020-20212021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025
In-State Costs$12,281$12,652$12,987$13,087$13,103$13,106$13,116$13,133$13,303$13,499
Year-to-Year Rates2.70%3.02%2.65%0.78%0.12%0.02%0.08%0.13%1.29%1.48%
Cumulative Rates2.70%5.80%8.60%9.44%9.57%9.60%9.68%9.82%11.24%12.89%
Out-of-State Costs$23,749$24,466$25,139$25,346$25,843$25,914$25,424$25,676$25,895$24,429
Year-to-Year Rates2.85%3.02%2.75%0.82%1.96%0.27%-1.89%0.99%0.85%-5.66%
Cumulative Rates2.85%5.96%8.87%9.77%11.92%12.23%10.11%11.20%12.15%5.80%
For private graduate schools in South Carolina state, the 2025 tuition & fees are $17,128 which has increased by 36.23% over the current decade. In average, the rate of increase in graduate tuition is 3.62348% while last year increase rate was 2.59%.
Table. Graduate Tuition Trends (Private Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for South Carolina Colleges
2015-20162016-20172017-20182018-20192019-20202020-20212021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025
Tuition & Fees$11,737$11,291$13,626$12,940$14,946$15,604$14,792$15,276$16,696$17,128
Year-to-Year Rates-6.64%-3.80%20.68%-5.04%15.51%4.40%-5.20%3.27%9.29%2.59%
Cumulative Rates-6.64%-10.19%8.38%2.92%18.89%24.11%17.66%21.51%32.80%36.23%
You can check the changes of other college costs including room & board costs, book & supplies, and other living expenses at South Carolina college cost trends.