University of South Carolina (USC), Columbia : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About University of South Carolina
Locals call the historic heart the Horseshoe, a shady quad where brick paths wind between classrooms and oak trees. It's known for strengths across the sciences, public affairs, business, education, and the arts, with a hands-on, research-minded approach. Students use modern labs, light-filled libraries, maker spaces, a busy student hub, plus advising, tutoring, wellness, and rec facilities.
Life here feels friendly and driven. Gamedays surge in garnet and black, Sandstorm shaking the stands, and the Tiger Burn tradition before the rivalry. Clubs span service and outdoor adventure, with rivers and trails close by. And the capital city offers internships with agencies and hospitals. Alumni include Darius Rucker, Lindsey Graham, Ainsley Earhardt, and Alex English.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
University of South Carolina (USC), Columbia offers 165 degree programs across 26 major academic fields, graduating approximately 9,808 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Business (21 programs, 2,756 graduates), Health (30 programs, 1,542 graduates), Biological Sciences (9 programs, 771 graduates), Education (19 programs, 593 graduates) and Engineering (8 programs, 492 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Business (21 programs, 2,756 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finance, General | 493 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0801 |
| Business Administration and Management | 379 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
52.0201 |
| Marketing Management | 351 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1401 |
| International Business and Trade | 340 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
52.1101 |
| Management Science | 188 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1301 |
| Accounting | 181 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0301 |
| Business Statistics | 171 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
52.1302 |
| Retailing and Retail Operations | 147 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1803 |
| Hospitality Management | 127 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
52.0901 |
| Real Estate | 66 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1501 |
| Insurance Studies | 62 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1701 |
| Business Economics | 58 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0601 |
| Human Resources Management | 43 |
|
Master's
|
52.1001 |
| Nonprofit and Organizational Management | 42 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0206 |
| Business Administration | 35 |
|
Master's
|
52.0101 |
| Tourism and Travel Management | 24 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0903 |
| Science and Technology Management | 23 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
52.0216 |
| International Finance | 20 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
52.0806 |
| Organizational Leadership | 4 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0213 |
| Entrepreneurship Studies | 1 |
|
Master's
|
52.0701 |
| Management Information Systems | 1 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
52.1201 |
Health (30 programs, 1,542 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Health | 426 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
51.2201 |
| Registered Nursing | 294 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.3801 |
| Medicine | 185 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.1201 |
| Pharmacy | 100 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.2001 |
| Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences | 72 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.2099 |
| Speech-Language Pathology | 65 |
|
Master's
|
51.0203 |
| Family Practice Nursing | 54 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (P)
|
51.3805 |
| Athletic Training | 46 |
|
Master's
|
51.0913 |
| Critical Care Nursing | 35 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (P)
|
51.3814 |
| Physician Assistant | 29 |
|
Master's
|
51.0912 |
| Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing | 29 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (P)
|
51.3810 |
| Nurse Anesthesia | 27 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
51.3804 |
| Nursing Administration | 25 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (P)
|
51.3802 |
| Physical Therapy | 24 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
51.2308 |
| Public Health Education and Promotion | 18 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
51.2207 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling | 16 |
|
Master's
|
51.2310 |
| Hospital and Health Care Administration | 14 |
|
Master's
|
51.0702 |
| Cardiovascular Technology | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.0901 |
| Substance Abuse Counseling | 14 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
51.1501 |
| Environmental Health | 13 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
51.2202 |
| Medical Informatics | 13 |
|
Master's
|
51.2706 |
| Nursing Practice | 7 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.3818 |
| Pharmaceutics and Drug Design | 6 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
51.2003 |
| Nursing Education | 4 |
|
Master's
|
51.3203 |
| Nursing and Nursing Administration | 4 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
51.3899 |
| Maternal and Child Health | 3 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
51.2209 |
| Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology | 2 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
51.0204 |
| International Public Health | 1 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
51.2210 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | 1 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
51.2399 |
| Nursing Science | 1 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
51.3808 |
Biological Sciences (9 programs, 771 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 391 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0101 |
| Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology | 210 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0908 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | 48 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0210 |
| Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography | 43 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.1302 |
| Biomedical Sciences | 25 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0102 |
| Neuroscience | 21 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.1501 |
| Epidemiology | 18 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.1309 |
| Genetics and Medical Genetics | 9 |
|
Master's
|
26.0806 |
| Biostatistics | 6 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.1102 |
Education (19 programs, 593 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary Education | 91 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1202 |
| Education, General | 69 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
13.9999 |
| Educational Leadership and Administration | 62 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0401 |
| School Counseling and Guidance | 57 |
|
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.1101 |
| Physical Education Teaching and Coaching | 49 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.1314 |
| Early Childhood Education | 46 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1210 |
| General Education | 30 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0101 |
| Secondary Education and Teaching | 29 |
|
Master's
|
13.1205 |
| College Student Counseling and Personnel Services | 24 |
|
Master's
|
13.1102 |
| Reading Teacher Education | 24 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.1315 |
| Middle School Education and Teaching | 23 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1203 |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 21 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0301 |
| Instructional Technology | 19 |
|
Master's
|
13.0501 |
| Special Education Teaching | 15 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.1001 |
| Educational Evaluation and Research | 13 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0601 |
| Art Education | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1302 |
| Educational Research and Statistics | 5 |
|
Post-Master's
|
13.0603 |
| Music Teacher Education | 3 |
|
Master's
|
13.1312 |
| Foundations of Education | 1 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0901 |
Engineering (8 programs, 492 graduates)
Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 159 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.1901 |
| Civil Engineering | 98 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0801 |
| Chemical Engineering | 57 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0701 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 54 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.1001 |
| Biomedical Engineering | 42 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0501 |
| Computer Engineering | 41 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0901 |
| Aerospace Engineering | 37 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
14.0201 |
| Nuclear Engineering | 4 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.2301 |
Communication (8 programs, 446 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mass Communication and Media Studies | 97 |
|
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
09.0102 |
| Advertising | 81 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0903 |
| Public Relations and Image Management | 73 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0902 |
| Digital Media and Multimedia | 58 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0702 |
| Journalism | 55 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
09.0401 |
| Communication Management and Strategic Communication | 44 |
|
Other Award
|
09.0909 |
| Broadcast Journalism | 36 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0402 |
| Health Communication | 2 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
09.0905 |
Psychology (5 programs, 422 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Experimental Psychology | 394 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
42.2704 |
| Clinical Psychology | 15 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
42.2801 |
| School Psychology | 5 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
42.2805 |
| General Psychology | 4 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
42.0101 |
| Applied Behavior Analysis | 4 |
|
Master's
|
42.2814 |
Social Sciences (8 programs, 411 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Political Science and Government | 218 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.1001 |
| Economics | 74 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
45.0601 |
| Anthropology | 35 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.0201 |
| International Relations | 35 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
45.0901 |
| Geography | 24 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.0701 |
| Sociology | 22 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.1101 |
| Archaeology | 2 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
45.0301 |
| Criminology | 1 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
45.0401 |
Computer & IT (7 programs, 333 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | 191 |
|
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
11.0101 |
| Information Technology | 80 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
11.0103 |
| Information Science | 27 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0401 |
| Computer Science | 21 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
11.0701 |
| Information Systems Security and Auditing | 10 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
11.1003 |
| Artificial Intelligence | 2 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
11.0102 |
| Informatics | 2 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
11.0104 |
Kinesiology (1 programs, 299 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sport and Fitness Management | 299 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
31.0504 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at University of South Carolina (USC), Columbia.
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about University of South Carolina (USC), Columbia
How much does it cost to attend University of South Carolina (USC), Columbia?
The annual tuition at University of South Carolina (USC), Columbia is $12,688 for in-state students and $34,943 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $31,977 for in-state students and $54,232 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $12,558 (on) / $11,239 (off) and books and supplies $1,226.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does University of South Carolina, Columbia offer?
University of South Carolina (USC), Columbia offers 165 academic programs across 26 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (≥2 yrs), Associate's, Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Research), Doctorate (Professional), Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (21 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (30 programs)
- Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research (9 programs)
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (19 programs)
- Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions (8 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for University of South Carolina, Columbia?
University of South Carolina (USC), Columbia has an 61.5% acceptance rate and a 25.5% yield rate, making it selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 46,682
- Students admitted: 28,706
- Students enrolled: 7,319
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at University of South Carolina, Columbia?
University of South Carolina (USC), Columbia provides financial aid to 24% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $6,762 and average loans of $10,061.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,402
- State/Local grants: $5,799
- Institutional grants: $2,982
- Federal loans: $5,383
The university supports 5,998 students with grants and 3,225 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for University of South Carolina, Columbia graduates?
University of South Carolina (USC), Columbia graduates earn a median salary of $50,621 after 6 years and $62,177 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $41,018 (25th percentile) to $93,729 (75th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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