University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina
University of South Carolina-Columbia is a public institution in Columbia, South Carolina with 28,113 undergraduate students. For nursing students, the useful read is not just whether a program exists, but how its tuition, completion rates, debt, and earnings compare with nearby options.
In-state tuition is $12,688 compared with a South Carolina nursing-school average of $15,219. The school reports a graduation rate of 77.8%, median earnings of $62,177, and median federal debt of $21,500.
$12,688 is lower than the state average of $15,219.
77.8% is higher than the state average of 43.2%.
$62,177 is higher than the state average of $40,304.
About University of South Carolina-Columbia
| Location | Columbia, South Carolina |
| Institution Type | Public |
| Highest Degree | graduate |
| Website | www.sc.edu |
| In-State Tuition | $12,688 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $34,934 |
| Total Enrollment | 28,113 |
| Acceptance Rate | 61.5% |
| Graduation Rate | 77.8% |
| Retention Rate | 90.7% |
| Median Earnings (10 yrs after) | $62,177 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,500 |
| Est. Monthly Loan Payment | $227 |
| Pell Grant Recipients | 19.0% |
| Students Receiving Loans | 41.7% |
| Loan Default Rate | 0.0% |
| Nursing Program | Available |
Cost and Return Snapshot
Based on published tuition, median debt, and earnings data
A typical graduate debt load would equal about 0.4 years of post-payment earnings capacity using the reported median earnings and 10-year monthly payment estimate.
Affordability Context
19.0% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful signal for how often the school serves lower-income students. 41.7% of students take federal loans, so borrowing is less common than at many institutions in the student body. The three-year loan default rate is 0.0%, which helps frame repayment risk alongside earnings and debt.
Cost and Outcomes Context
The value picture at University of South Carolina-Columbia depends on the relationship between price, borrowing, and outcomes. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $50,752, while the reported median debt is $21,500 with an estimated monthly payment of $227. These figures should be compared with aid offers and program-specific requirements before making a final decision.
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Student Demographics
The student body is largest among White students (73.4%), followed by Black students (9.2%) and Hispanic students (5.9%).
Value Score
Median earnings ($62,177) divided by median debt ($21,500)