College tuition fees rose 1.8% in Pickens County in the 2022-23 school year, according to the latest disclosure from the National Center for Education Statistics.
Data shows that students paid $26,836 on average to attend higher education courses at the time, $480 more than the previous school year.
Among the two institutions in the county, Southern Wesleyan University stood out with the highest tuition fees, reaching an average of $27,820. Clemson University followed with an average of $26,797 per year.
At the time, a total of $38.8 million in grants or scholarships were awarded to full-time undergraduates who started at the Pickens County universities in the 2022-23 school year. Additionally, federal student loans reached $20.6 million.
Undergraduate education costs have seen a significant increase over the past few decades. Data shows a 169% rise in the average total cost, including tuition, fees, room, and board, between 1980 and 2020.
According to a 2023 College Board report, in-state students at public universities paid an average of $11,260, while out-of-state students paid $29,150 in the 2023-24 academic year.
Meanwhile, student loan debt has steadily increased over the last 30 years, reaching $1.75 trillion in 2024, averaging a total of $28,950 per borrower. Federal loans make up 92% of the debt, with over half of students at both public and private four-year colleges graduating with student loans.
Available data sometimes exceeds 100% due to rounding and administrative calculations.
| Institution | Number of Students Receiving Grants | Total Amount of Grants Received | Average Amount of Grant Per Student | Number of Students Receiving Loans | Total Amount of Loans Received | Average Amount of Loans Per Student |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clemson University | 3,408 | $36,122,030 | $10,599 | 1,643 | $19,829,973 | $12,069 |
| Southern Wesleyan University | 144 | $2,702,962 | $18,771 | 103 | $751,345 | $7,295 |
