USC Freezes In-State Tuition for Eighth Year, Boosts Programs
The University of South Carolina’s Board of Trustees approved its 2025-26 fiscal year budget late last week, maintaining a tuition freeze for in-state undergraduate students across its system. This marks the eighth consecutive year of flat tuition for comprehensive institutions and the seventh for the Columbia campus, aiming to keep higher education affordable while enhancing academic and research programs.
University officials noted significant support from state leaders this year, including funding for a new neurological hospital and rehabilitation center at the Bull Street district. This state assistance also encompassed tuition mitigation funds, which were crucial in holding down the cost of attendance, alongside strategic investments in energy innovation and health science research.
Under the newly approved budget, academic departments on the Columbia campus will receive additional funding. This is intended to support the hiring of more faculty and provide expanded academic resources for students, improving teaching and the overall student experience.
The budget details reveal that strong student enrollment and retention, combined with state tuition mitigation funds, enabled the freeze for South Carolina residents. For non-resident students, tuition will increase by 3 percent. On the Columbia campus, per-semester undergraduate tuition for residents remains at $6,344, while non-resident tuition will be $18,694 per semester.
To address rising operational costs in auxiliary services like housing and food, the budget includes a modest increase of $233 (average) for housing and $96 for meal plans for Fall 2025. University officials stated this represents the smallest fee increase in five years for these services, which do not receive state funding.
Additionally, the approved budget introduces a new annual $300 athletics auxiliary fee. This fee is designed to maintain student access to athletic events and ticket lotteries, cover increased operational costs for events and programs, and enhance the student experience at various USC sporting venues. These enhancements are set to include improved in-game activities, facility upgrades, and additional health and safety staffing at events. It was specified that this new fee will not fund recently approved Williams-Brice Stadium renovations, Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) activities, or coaching contracts.
