Last Updated: October 03, 2021
South Carolina - The Palmetto State
The Atlantic ocean is a potent companion for this east coast state in the USA, which stands 40th in area among the states in the USA and ranks 23rd in population. The population of South Carolina is nearly 5.2 million in the year 2021. The state has a subtropical climate and at some of the higher places summers are not so severe and winters are quite cold yet pleasant. Otherwise, the state is mostly hot and humid. With abundant gifts from nature, the state has two natural ports in Georgetown and Charleston.
Before the British colonization, the state used to be inhabited by the Cherokee, Creek, and Santee tribes. It was declared to be the state of the United States in the year 1788. South Carolina is known as the 'Palmetto State' because of the abundant presence of these trees and their resourcefulness. It is also the state tree and is a part of the state flag as well as the state seal.
Major Cities in South Carolina
Charleston
Established in 1670, the city of Charleston is the largest in South Carolina. It has an estimated population of around 136,000. The city was named in honor of King Charles II of England. The city is known to be the oldest and is commonly known as the “Holy City” because of the presence of several religious institutions. Educational institutes like the College of Charleston and the Citadel Military College of South Carolina are situated here. Some of the most fascinating sites in the city are Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Fort Sumter National Monument, Historic Charleston City Market, Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens, Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, Joe Riley Waterfront Park, etc.
Columbia
The capital city of South Carolina, Columbia is also the second-largest city of the state. It has an estimated population of approximately 134,000. Founded in 1786, the city was named after Christopher Columbus. It is a vibrant city with a diverse community and rich history. One of the most reputed universities, the University of South Carolina, is situated in this city. Popular sites include the Congaree National Park, South Carolina State Museum, Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, EdVenture Children's Museum, Columbia Museum of Art, Riverbanks Botanical Garden, Sesquicentennial State Park, South Carolina State House, and a lot more.
North Charleston
With a population of around 112,000, North Charleston is the third-largest city in South Carolina. Established as a city in the year 1972, it is known as the 'cousin city' of Charleston. It is a major industrial hub, with automobile and retail as the main sectors. It is known for its diversity as well as affordability when compared to other cities. Popular places in the city are South Carolina Aquarium, Congressional Medal of Honor Museum, Slave Mart Museum, Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site, Charleston Harbor, Middleton Place, Drayton Hall, North Charleston Wannamaker County, Whirlin' Waters Adventure Waterpark, and so on.
Mount Pleasant
This is the fourth-largest city with a population of about 87,000. Because of its scenic beauty, safety, and overall pleasant atmosphere, the city of Mount Pleasant is considered to be the best in the state. Not only is the city known for its low crime rates, but is also popular for its flourishing economy, and work opportunities. The median home income is about $461,000. The Fort Sumter National Monument, Boone Hall Plantation, Museum On The Common, Palmetto Islands County Park, Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, Rainbow Row, Gibbes Museum of Art, and Charles Pinckney National Historic Site, are some popular attractions in the city.
Economy/Job Market
- South Carolina was an agriculture-dependent state which grew into cattle farming, which diversified later into other sectors such as textile, chemical products, and machinery. Automobile and automobile-dependent companies are some of the main industries in this state.
- Some of the major companies headquartered here are BMW Manufacturing, Robert Bosch Corporation, Michelin, Schaeffler Group, Cryovac, Sonoco, SEW-EURODRIVE, Intertech Group, etc.
- The easy labor laws of this state have attracted many domestic and foreign investors to this state. There are more than 1,900 international companies in South Carolina.
- After the initial stages of challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the economy of South Carolina is slowly recovering with an unemployment rate of 4.2%, which is lower than the national unemployment rate.
- Business, Healthcare and Education services, Trade, and Manufacturing are the leading sectors contributing to the state's economy.
Tuition Fee and Living Cost in South Carolina
The cost of living in the American state is much lower than that of the other states in the US. Housing costs are the cheapest in South Carolina, followed by transportation, and groceries. However, healthcare and utilities are on the more expensive side when compared to the national average. The median household income in the state is around $54,000. The most affordable cities here are Fountain Inn, Laurens, Irmo, Lake City, Union, and Dillon. The most expensive places are Port Royal, Clemson, Myrtle Beach, Georgetown, Hardeeville, and Charleston.
When it comes to educational costs, it is slightly higher than the national average. Out-of-state tuition fees in public institutions are more expensive when compared to the national average. For instance, the average out-of-state fee nationally is around $23,000, whereas the fee at Clemson University is about $41,000 which is double the amount.
List of Few Major Universities/Colleges
The top universities and colleges in the state of South Carolina are:
- Clemson University This is a reputed public university which is situated in Clemson. It was founded in 1889 by Thomas Green Clemson and was previously known as Clemson Agricultural College of South Carolina. With over 28,000 students and more than 1,000 teachers, the student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1. Marketing, Psychology, Biology, Mechanical Engineering, and Industrial Engineering are some of the popular majors offered here. The tuition fee for in-state undergraduate students is around $17,000 and about $41,000 for out-of-state students.
- University of South Carolina-Columbia Situated in the capital city of Columbia, the University of South Carolina is a renowned public university. It was founded in 1801 and is known for its spirited campus life and extracurricular activities. With about 38,000 students and about 1,500 faculty members, the student-to-faculty ratio is 15:1. Popular majors offered here are Finance, Marketing, Business, Public Health, Management Sciences, and Information Systems. The tuition fee for in-state undergraduate students is around $14,000 and roughly $36,000 for out-of-state students.
- Wofford College Wofford College is a private Liberal Arts institute established in 1854.It is located in the city of Spartanburg and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. It is well-known for its extensive curriculum, and educational value. With around 2,000 students and around 140 teachers, the student-to-faculty ratio is 11:1. The most popular majors are Finance, English, Psychology, Spanish Language and Literature, Accounting, and Political Science. The tuition fee for all undergraduate students is approximately $41,000.
- College of Charleston This is a renowned public college located in the beautiful city of Charleston. Established in 1770, the college is known for its diverse student body, high-quality education, and excellent faculty. The university has around 13,000 students, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1. Popular majors offered in this college are Speech Communication and Rhetoric, Business, Psychology, Communications, and Public Health Education. The tuition fee for in-state undergraduate students is around $14,000 and roughly $36,000 for out-of-state students.
Scholarships/Financial Aid for Students
- Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Program: This is a scholarship program initiated by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. To be eligible for the program, the student must be a legal resident of South Carolina, must have graduated high school from the state, and must plan to attend an accredited institution in SC on a full-time basis. The candidate is also required to secure a 3.5 GPA during high school, a minimum SAT score of 1200, or a minimum ACT of 27. Students applying for the Palmetto scholarship should not apply for LIFE Scholarship, SC HOPE Scholarship, or Lottery Tuition Assistance Program. The award amount will be up to $6,700 for freshman year, and up to $7,500 for the sophomore, junior, and senior years.
- South Carolina LIFE Scholarship: The Legislative Incentive for Future Excellence (LIFE) Scholarship is a merit-based program for undergraduate students. To be eligible for the program, the candidate must be a resident of South Carolina, attend an accredited 2-year or 4-year private or public institution in the state on a full-time basis, and not be a recipient of scholarships like the HOPE Scholarship, Palmetto Fellows Scholarship, or Lottery Tuition Assistance Program. The student must also secure a 3.0 GPA from high school and also secure a minimum SAT score of 1100 or an equivalent ACT score. The students will receive an amount of $4,700 with an additional $300 for book allowances.
- South Carolina HOPE Scholarship: A merit-based and a need-based award, the South Carolina HOPE Scholarship assists students who display academic merit but are not qualified for the LIFE scholarship or the Palmetto Fellows award. To be eligible for HOPE, the student must be a permanent South Carolina resident, attend an accredited institution on a full-time basis, and secure a 3.0 GPA during high school. the student should maintain a minimum score of 3.0 GPA during college as well. The award amount for the scholarship will be up to $2,800 along with a $300 book allowance.
- SREB Doctoral Scholarship for South Carolina Residents: This is a scholarship program administered by the Southern Regional Education Board. To be eligible for the program, the candidate must be a legal resident of South Carolina, must pursue a doctoral program, and enroll at any one of these institutes, namely, Clemson University, Medical University of South Carolina, or the University of South Carolina at Columbia. The candidate should also belong to a minority community and must choose a career as a university/college faculty. Apart from financial assistance, the program will also provide counseling programs, work postings, research funding, and so on. Applicants are to submit documents like proof of residency, letters of recommendation, personal statements, and official transcripts. The total award amount is about $75,000.
Tourism
South Carolina is popular for its rich history, and the numerous battles that were fought in the past. The state also has various landscapes such as lowlands, sandhills, and mountains which is an absolute joy for those who love to travel. Some of the best tourist destinations in the state are Charleston's Historic District, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Plantation Gardens, USS Yorktown and Patriots Point, Brookgreen Gardens, Middleton Place, Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, Huntington Beach State Park, Caesars Head State Park, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, and so much more. Some of the most popular and tasty delicacies available in the Palmetto State are the Pimento Cheeseburger, South Carolina BBQ, Huguenot Torte, Oyster Roast, She-Crab Soup, and Fried Seafood.
Universities & Colleges in South Carolina
*UG - Undergraduate
*G - Graduate
*in - In-state Fees
*out - Out-of-State Fees
- Recommended program (Top 250)
