Study in Columbia, The United States

About Columbia

Columbia is the capital of South Carolina, a state in the southeastern United States. It was founded in 1786 and lies in the centre of the state. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates the city's population at 144,788 (1 July 2024); the University of South Carolina puts the wider area at more than 800,000 residents.

For students, Columbia is above all a university city. The state's flagship public university has its campus in the city centre, the state government is based here too, and a private language school offers intensive English courses. The climate is warm, with hot summers and mild winters.

Studying in Columbia

Our directory lists two schools in Columbia: one university and one language school.

The University of South Carolina (USC) was chartered in 1801 and describes itself as South Carolina's flagship university. According to College Navigator, the U.S. Department of Education's college search tool, it has 38,532 students, 30,187 of them undergraduates, and a student-to-faculty ratio of 19 to 1. The campus has 25 student housing options. For students who need to improve their English before or alongside a degree, the university runs English Programs for Internationals, whose Intensive English Program is accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA) for the period April 2025 to April 2035.

The Agape English Language Institute (AELI) is a private school that has taught intensive English in Columbia since January 1994. In January 2004 its Columbia programme obtained permission to issue its own I-20 forms to students coming from abroad. Courses run in 9-week sessions, full-time or part-time, with six levels from beginner (CEFR A1) to proficient (CEFR C2), and all classes include TOEFL preparation. Homestay with an American family can be requested, but the school has a very limited number of places and cannot guarantee one.

Teaching is in English. The US academic year usually runs from August to May, according to EducationUSA, the State Department's advising network.

Student visa

International students normally need an F student visa, which covers both degree study at an accredited university and English courses at a language institute. After you are accepted by a school certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), its international student office sends a Form I-20 (or a DS-2019 for J exchange programmes) to present when you apply for the visa. With that office's permission, international students may work on campus for up to 20 hours a week in their first year.

Cost of living for students

International students pay the out-of-state rate at public universities. According to College Navigator, a first-year undergraduate at the University of South Carolina paid $35,972 in out-of-state tuition and fees in 2024-25, plus $13,534 for food and housing on campus. The estimated total for an out-of-state student living on campus was $55,474. These amounts change every year, so check the university's current cost page.

English courses cost far less. In 2026 AELI lists $2,600 for a 9-week session with all three classes (21 hours a week), $1,950 for two classes (14 hours) and $1,150 for one class (7 hours). Accommodation and living costs are extra.

Getting around and daily life

The University of South Carolina campus is downtown, and the South Carolina State House offers free tours. The regional bus system is The COMET, which also runs the Soda Cap Connector routes through the downtown districts.

The nearest airport is Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE), about 15 to 20 minutes by car from the campus. Charlotte Douglas International Airport, in North Carolina, is about 1.5 hours away by car.

Summers are hot and winters mild. NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Columbia give an average temperature of 45.7 °F (about 8 °C) in January and 82.4 °F (about 28 °C) in July.

Frequently asked questions

Which universities are in Columbia, South Carolina?

Our directory lists the University of South Carolina, the state's flagship public university, chartered in 1801.

Can I learn English in Columbia?

Yes. The Agape English Language Institute teaches intensive English in 9-week sessions at six levels, and the University of South Carolina has its own Intensive English Program.

How much does a year at the University of South Carolina cost for an international student?

For 2024-25, College Navigator gives $35,972 in out-of-state tuition and fees and an estimated total of $55,474 for a student living on campus.

Which airport is closest to Columbia?

Columbia Metropolitan Airport is 15 to 20 minutes by car from the university; Charlotte Douglas International Airport is about 1.5 hours away.