The University of South Carolina is the state's flagship public research university, in the capital, Columbia. It is best known for international business, ranked No. 1 in the US for decades, along with hospitality, nursing, engineering and public health. Choose it for a top-ranked business degree at moderate public-university cost.
Columbia, South Carolina, United States
Official website: sc.edu
#601
No. 1 undergraduate programme in the US for over 25 years (U.S. News)
R1 — very high research activity
Top-ranked public honours college in the US
$28,000 – $36,000
International students, non-resident undergraduate and master's rates
$14,000 – $18,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on sc.edu before you apply.
MS Computer Science
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
Master of International Business (Darla Moore)
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
MS Business Analytics
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
MS Electrical Engineering
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
MBA (Darla Moore School of Business)
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
BS International Business
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
Darla Moore School of Business — the No. 1 US programme for international business for over 25 years.
South Carolina Honors College — the top-ranked public honours college in the US.
McNair Center — aerospace research with Boeing's South Carolina plant nearby.
The Horseshoe — the historic heart of campus, a National Historic District.
Graduates join Boeing, BMW's Spartanburg plant, Bank of America, Deloitte and Charlotte's finance sector.
STEM master's graduates can work in the US for up to three years on OPT.
International business graduates move into global roles at multinationals, often via the school's partner network.
Engineering bachelor's graduates report median starting salaries around USD 65,000-75,000.
Undergrad
1 Dec 2026
Postgrad
Varies by programme
Undergrad
1 Nov 2026
Postgrad
Varies by programme
The campus sits beside downtown Columbia, with the historic Horseshoe at its centre, the business school and engineering buildings to the south and the State House a few blocks away.
Columbia is South Carolina's capital, a mid-sized city with hot summers, low rent and rivers and lakes nearby. Charlotte is 90 minutes away and Charleston two hours.
Form I-20 issued by South Carolina
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
For fall 2027 undergraduate entry, the Early Action deadline is 15 October 2026 and the regular deadline is 1 December 2026; spring 2027 entry closes 1 November 2026. Graduate deadlines are set by each programme, with most business and engineering master's closing between January and April.
Undergraduates can start in fall (August) or spring (January). Most engineering and computer science master's programmes also admit for spring, while Darla Moore's business master's and the MBA are fall only. Check your programme's admissions page to confirm.
You need an F-1 student visa. International Student and Scholar Services issues your Form I-20 after you accept the offer and submit proof of funding. Then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and book an interview at a US embassy or consulate.
Computer science, international business, business analytics, electrical engineering and the Darla Moore MBA attract the most international applicants. Graduate admission needs a bachelor's degree with a GPA of at least 3.0, TOEFL 80 or IELTS 6.5, and the GRE or GMAT for some programmes. Undergraduate admission is holistic, with an acceptance rate around 60%.
Yes. International undergraduates are automatically considered for merit scholarships based on their grades when they apply by the Early Action deadline; need-based aid is not available. Graduate students can apply for teaching and research assistantships and Darla Moore merit awards.
