South Carolina State University's published cost of attendance is $30,015. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation across family circumstances: low-income families pay approximately $16,846, middle-income families pay around $20,449, and higher-income families pay approximately $24,523.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $30,015 |
| Tuition and Fees | $21,750 |
| Room and Board | $9,000 |
| Books and Supplies | $2,000 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$11,918 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $18,097 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $16,846 |
| $30–48k | $16,968 |
| $48–75k | $20,449 |
| $75–110k | $22,587 |
| $110k+ | $24,523 |
South Carolina State University's published cost of attendance is $30,015. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation across family circumstances: low-income families pay approximately $16,846, middle-income families pay around $20,449, and higher-income families pay approximately $24,523. Azimuth ranks South Carolina State University #974 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. As a public historically Black university, South Carolina State University participates in federal need-based aid programs (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and state and institutional aid. The gap between published cost of attendance and net price reflects the institution's commitment to need-based aid, though the spread across income bands is narrower than at institutions with larger endowments. Families apply for aid using the FAFSA, and work-study is available as part of aid packages. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $31,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $29,808; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $46,691, median federal debt of $31,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $350 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of South Carolina State University earn median 4-year earnings of $46,691, placing South Carolina State University in the 8.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,008 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing South Carolina State University in the 53.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks South Carolina State University #1300 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 12.2 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. These figures represent lifetime returns relative to SC's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $31,959 (the state median earnings of working adults age 25–34 with only a high school credential). The earnings pattern centers on business and professional fields. Biology, General is the largest program with 41 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $37,940, performing at 0.7× the national benchmark for the field. The Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General program graduates 31 students earning $40,050 four years after enrollment, while Criminal Justice and Business Administration round out the top programs with 24 and 21 graduates respectively. The concentration in Business — the institution's dominant program family — reflects South Carolina State's focus on fields with direct workforce pathways and stable employer demand in the region.
