Public
Clemson University
Clemson, South Carolina
- Acceptance
- 43%
- In-state tuition
- $16,000
- Undergrads
- 22,000
A land-grant university whose automotive engineering centre partners directly with manufacturers in the Carolinas.
Universities in South Carolina
2 campuses profiled, with admission requirements, published costs, test policies and deadlines. Reviewed 2026-09-20.
Public
University of South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
- Acceptance
- 64%
- In-state tuition
- $12,700
- Undergrads
- 28,000
The Darla Moore School of Business built its reputation on a required international business and language track.
Studying in South Carolina
This page lists the 2 universities in South Carolina currently profiled in the directory: 2 public and 0 private nonprofit. Each profile carries the same fields — acceptance rate, published tuition for residents and non-residents, standardized test policy, deadlines and accreditation — so the campuses can be compared directly.
The lowest published in-state tuition in this group is at University of South Carolina, at about $12,700 per year before housing and fees.
The most selective is Clemson University, reporting an acceptance rate near 43%.
The largest undergraduate population belongs to University of South Carolina with roughly 28,000 undergraduates.
If you are a resident of South Carolina, the public campuses above are almost always the lowest-cost route to a bachelor's degree, and the state's community colleges add a cheaper first two years through transfer agreements. If you are applying from outside the state, compare the non-resident rate against private universities after aid before assuming the public option is cheaper — it frequently is not.
Related reading: in-state vs out-of-state tuition, financial aid and the FAFSA, and the community college transfer pathway.
Frequently asked questions
How many universities does this directory list in South Carolina?
2 institutions in South Carolina are profiled here: 2 public and 0 private nonprofit. The state has more institutions than this; the directory covers the campuses students most often compare.
What is the cheapest university in South Carolina in this directory?
University of South Carolina has the lowest published in-state tuition in this list at about $12,700 per year, before housing, food and fees. Aid can lower the net price further.
Do I pay in-state tuition if I move to South Carolina for university?
Usually not. South Carolina, like almost every state, excludes time spent in the state primarily for education from the residency clock, so students who move to study normally remain non-residents for the whole degree.
Which university in South Carolina is hardest to get into?
Among the campuses profiled here, Clemson University reports the lowest acceptance rate at about 43%. Selectivity also varies sharply by major within any single university.