USC, Clemson will freeze college tuition again, but other student costs will increase
Tuition at the University of South Carolina and Clemson University will remain the same for another year, officials announced this week.
The freeze will apply to in-state students at USC, the state’s largest university, and both in-state and out-of-state students at Clemson. When the state budget was approved last week, lawmakers set aside $124 million for tuition mitigation and inflationary costs to keep tuition the same at public colleges.
Without scholarship or grant money, in-state undergraduate students will pay $12,688 per year at USC for the fifth year in a row. Out-of-state students will now pay $34,934, a 3% increase from the previous yearly rate of $33,928.
“We are grateful to members of the General Assembly for helping us keep attendance affordable for South Carolina families and for investing in the types of projects that will make the state healthier and more prosperous,” USC President Michael Amiridis said in a news release.
USC requested $29.5 million from the General Assembly to freeze tuition costs, and another $4.7 million to avoid a hike system-wide. University spokesman Jeff Stensland said the university ended up receiving $25 million for Columbia’s campus and some $18.2 million for USC’s other locations.
Housing costs at USC will increase by 5.3%, and meals will increase by 8.8%, Stensland said.
At Clemson, in-state students will continue to pay $15,558 per year for the fourth year in a row. Out-of-state students will still pay $38,550.
“Our Board thanks Governor Henry McMaster and the General Assembly for their extraordinary investment in Clemson University,” Clemson Board Chair Kim Wilkerson said in a news release. “Their commitment allows us to make a tuition decision supportive of our students and their families.”
While tuition has stagnated, housing and dining fees at Clemson increased by 3.6% and 4%, respectively, according to a news release.
This story was originally published June 23, 2023 at 2:47 PM.
