USC, Clemson freeze tuition for SC students. Fees will increase
Two of South Carolina’s most prominent universities are once again offering some reprieve for their resident students: no tuition increases.
Tuition at the University of South Carolina and Clemson University will remain the same for in-state students during the 2025-26 academic year, thanks to $65 million set aside for tuition mitigation funds provided to public colleges and universities by the state Legislature. But certain fees will be bumped up, and out-of-state students will pay more.
USC officials said strong student enrollment and retention, bolstered by the mitigation funds, have allowed the university to keep tuition steady for in-state students — $6,344 per semester and $12,688 per year. It is the eighth year for USC’s Columbia campus. The tuition freeze was approved at Friday’s board meeting.
“The General Assembly has demonstrated its robust support for higher education in this year’s state budget,” USC President Michael Amiridis said in a news release. “With support for key educational, research and health sciences initiatives, this funding will open doors for more students seeking to earn a college degree.”
Out-of-state students will pay 3% more for tuition, or $18,694 total per semester and $37,388 per year.
However, food and housing on campus will cost more. To keep pace with inflationary costs, USC will increase residence hall living by an average of $233 for the fall semester, for an average cost of about $5,722. Meal plans will cost $96 more, which means the meal plan that freshman students are automatically enrolled in will be about $2,931.
These services, according to a news release, do no receive state funding for operations.
USC students will also pay a new $300 annual athletics auxiliary fee, which officials say is designed to continue student access to athletics events, address increased operating costs and enhance the student experience across multiple USC sporting venues. These enhancements will pay for game activities and promotions, facility upgrades and additional support for safety staffing. It will not be used for Williams-Brice Stadium renovations; Name Image and Likeness payments to athletes, or coaching contracts, a new release noted.
The Clemson University Board of Trustees approved a tuition freeze for the sixth consecutive year for in-state undergraduate students, for a price tag of $15,120 per year, plus fees
Out-of-state students will see a 3% increase, and can expect to pay $41,644 per year, plus fees. This adjustment, Clemson officials said, will support student success, academic excellence and research. Adjusted for inflation, the total cost of attendance — including tuition, housing and dining — remains below 2021 levels, according to a news release.
Last fall, Clemson also added a new $300 annual athletics fee.
The continued support of Gov. Henry McMaster and the South Carolina General Assembly is key to moving Clemson “Fiercely Forward,” Clemson President Jim Clements said in a news release.
While South Carolina’s public schools received $65 million for tuition mitigation, they had requested $99.6 million.
But lawmakers are encouraging schools to find ways to be more efficient in spending money.
“We also realize that there’s so much inflation going on right now that the colleges and universities, even though we’re giving them some tuition mitigation money, that they are still under the gun to meet their budgets,” state Sen. Ronnie Cromer, R-Newberry, previously told The State. “If we don’t significantly increase tuition mitigation money, they’re over a barrel.”
This story was originally published June 20, 2025 at 4:35 PM.
