To assess your full cost of the program, take into consideration the funding package offered by the Moore School's Ph.D. programs, tuition, program specific fees, and special university fees.

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Funding Package

Students enrolled in either the Ph.D. in Economics or the Ph.D. in Business Administration program receive the following funding support from the Moore School:

Tuition: All entering regular Ph.D. students who are not sponsored by a private or government entity receive a 100 percent tuition supplement covering tuition for all courses approved on the student’s Program of Study, not to exceed the general program requirement of 48 credit hours of coursework and 12 credit hours of dissertation preparation courses.

The following students typically do not receive this funding:

• • Incoming students sponsored by a private or government entity
  • Incoming students who are a part of one of the dual degree Ph.D. programs

Insurance: All Ph.D. students are, in most cases, required to have health insurance while enrolled in the University. When this is the case, and for up to five years of enrollment in the program, students who choose to enroll in USC’s sponsored insurance receive a 100 percent subsidy, effectively covering the cost of insurance. Students who choose to use their own insurance to comply with this requirement don’t receive this funding.

Graduate Assistantship (GA): In most cases, all entering students are expected to have a research or teaching graduate assistantship for which students receive a competitive stipend. GA responsibilities may include supporting faculty on research or on teaching activities (i.e. grading, class preparation). Responsibilities may also include teaching a course at the undergraduate level. Specific stipend amounts and disbursement schedules may vary by department; information which is provided at the time of admission to the program.

• • Specific stipend amounts and disbursement schedules may vary by department; information which is provided at the time of admission to the program.

Tuition and Fees – Academic Year 2024-2025*

Whether you’re enrolled in the Ph.D. in Economics or the Ph.D. in Business Administration, tuition is calculated at the per-credit-hour rate valid and approved for the academic year. Other program and special fees apply. Rates for the following academic year are updated every summer approaching the start of the new academic year.

Expand allTuition | Assessed Per-Credit Hour

As per Funding Package section above, most students receive a 100 percent tuition supplement covering tuition for all courses approved on the student’s Program of Study, not to exceed the general program requirement of 48 credit hours of coursework and 12 credit hours of dissertation preparation courses. Tuition Fees do apply should student exceed these parameters.

Student Type	Full-Time	Part-Time
South Carolina Resident	$6,867.00	$572.25
Non-resident	$14,880.00	$1,240.00

Health Insurance | Assessed Fall and Spring/Summer semesters

As per Funding Package section above, students who choose to enroll in USC’s sponsored insurance do not pay for insurance for up to five years of enrollment in the program, regardless of GA status. Fees do apply after 5 years of enrollment (if applicable).

Semester	Amount	Coverage Period
Fall Semester	$1,355.29	August 1 - December 31
Spring and Summer Semesters (Billed in one installment)	$1,850.00	January 1 – July 31

Special Fees | Assessed Per Semester

Subject	Amount
Student Health Center Fee (9-11 credit hours)*	$190 / Semester (Fall, Spring)
Student Health Center Fee (6 to 8 credit hours)*	$127 / Semester (Fall, Spring)
Student Health Center Fee (Graduate Assistant enrolled in less than 12 hours)*	$190 / Semester (Fall, Spring)
Technology Fee (Full-Time Students)	$200 / Semester (Fall, Spring, Summer)
Technology Fee (Part-Time Student)	$17 / Credit Hour (Fall, Spring, Summer)
International Student Fee	$200 / Semester (Fall and Spring only)

* This fee is different from the Health Insurance Fee mentioned above under Funding Package. All students within these parameters are required to pay the Student Health Center Fee. 

Special Fees | Non-Recurring (one-time fee)

Subject	Amount
Application Fee	$58
Matriculation Fee	$80
Enrollment Deposit (non-refundable. Reimbursed, if enrolled, at start of first semester)	$250

 

Anticipated Living Expenses

Costs listed below are provided as estimates only.

Subject	Amount	Notes
Housing	$9,754 / calendar year	Estimate based on one student sharing a two bedroom apartment with one other person for one calendar year.
Books	$1,400 / calendar year
Food	$5,372 / calendar year	Students may choose to purchase a prepaid meal plan to eat at university dining facilities. The full-meal plan (21 meals per week) costs $2,100 per academic year.
Personal Expenses	$4,530/ calendar year	Includes routine medical and dental costs, clothes, laundry, transportation, recreation and personal expenses.
Dependent Family Member (Spouse)	$2,500 / calendar year
Dependent Family Members (Each Child)	$2,000 / calendar year

Other Financial Support Options

The Ph.D. Scholars Program is intended to provide financial support for Ph.D. students from traditionally underrepresented minority groups, which include those of African American, Hispanic or Latinx, or Native American descent. If awarded, funding will cover tuition costs for up to four Ph.D. candidates for five years.

* All program, tuition, and university fees are subject to change without notice upon mandate of the University Board of Trustees. Tuition fees do not include additional university fees (see special fees and non-recurring fees listed above). Cost-of-living and travel expenses vary by individual and are provided as a general reference only.