University of South Carolina Upstate's published cost of attendance is $25,124. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels.
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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) | $25,124 |
| Tuition and Fees | $23,090 |
| Room and Board | $10,533 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,600 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$11,567 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $13,557 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $11,618 |
| $30–48k | $11,537 |
| $48–75k | $13,394 |
| $75–110k | $17,356 |
| $110k+ | $19,325 |
University of South Carolina Upstate's published cost of attendance is $25,124. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $11,618; middle-income families pay around $13,394; higher-income families pay approximately $19,325. Azimuth ranks University of South Carolina-Upstate #301 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. The university's aid structure is need-based, with federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs available to qualifying students. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA. The gap between published cost of attendance and net price reflects the institution's commitment to making enrollment affordable across income levels through grant aid rather than loans alone. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $22,310, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $14,836; 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 $55,994, median federal debt of $22,310 projects to a monthly payment of about $252 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 University of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of $55,994 four years after enrollment, placing the institution in the 30.8th percentile for median earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,638 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing USC Upstate in the 37.9th percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks USC Upstate #1060 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 28.4th percentile overall.
The earnings pattern reflects USC Upstate's program mix, with Business representing 12% of graduates and Education accounting for 9%. Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing is the largest program, with 309 graduates earning a median of $79,947 — Azimuth ranks it #198 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions . Azimuth ranks Criminal Justice and Corrections #180 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions with 103 graduates earning $48,209, and Psychology, General ranks #284 nationally with 81 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $45,659.
