South Carolina – Saving For College in 2024
As parents, grandparents and students, we know college is coming and that we're somehow going to have to pay for it someday. Fortunately, we have many options available to us, including savings bonds, the stock market and 529 plans. Starting a 529 account now is always the best option, no matter how old you (or your child) is. While playing the stock market may yield higher returns on your investment, placing your money into a 529 plan allows it to grow in a tax-free environment. One study even found that when the federal tax benefits were taken into consideration, 529 plans outperformed their benchmarks in every category.
South Carolina has its own state-operated 529 plan called Future Scholar 529 College Savings Plan. It is important to note that your child does not have to go to a SC college or university to use this savings account. 529 plan funds can be used at any accredited college or university across the nation, including some K-12 private schools!
South Carolina College Costs & Trends
Colleges and universities across the United States experienced increased operating costs of 2.5% in 2019. This most recent inflation figure was down slightly from the 2.9 percent increase in 2018 and 3.4 percent increase in 2017. These costs are forwarded directly to students in the form of higher tuition and living expenses. As these costs steadily rise every year, parents are investigating how to help offset these future higher education costs.
These rising costs are hitting closer to home in South Carolina as well. South Carolina's higher education costs rose by 28.1% in just the last 10 years, ranking as the 36th highest state.
The table below shows the average one-year costs last year (2023) for different types of South Carolina colleges and universities.
| Ownership | Degree | Schools | Public Out-of-State Tuition | Public In-State Tuition | Median Debt | Total Annual In-State Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private | 2 year | 42 | $13,693 | $13,693 | $9,840 | $15,905 |
| Private | 4 year | 29 | $23,698 | $23,698 | $26,551 | $20,046 |
| Public | 2 year | 21 | $10,158 | $4,936 | $11,996 | $7,075 |
| Public | 4 year | 13 | $26,331 | $11,977 | $24,084 | $16,944 |
These costs rise every year. Rising tuition is a major driver of these increased higher education costs. Tuition at a 4-year university in SC rose 14% (ranked 36th in the US), while a 2-year or trade school increased their tuition by 26 percent.
529 Tax Benefits for South Carolina Residents
South Carolina offers tax benefits and deductions when savings are put into your child's 529 savings plan.
| For single filers: | No Limit |
|---|---|
| For joint filers: | No Limit |
Best 529 Plans in South Carolina
South Carolina has two Future Scholar 529 savings plans. The direct-sold plan is available only to South Carolina residents while the advisor-sold plan is sold nationally. The state’s prepaid tuition program is no longer accepting new enrollment.
| State Plan Name: | Future Scholar 529 College Savings Plan |
|---|---|
| Minimum Contribution: | $0 |
| Maximum Contribution: | Contributions are restricted by beneficiary, so you can contribute to multiple people, but the maximum to a single beneficiary, across all of their 529 accounts, cannot be more than $500,000. |
| Fees: | Vary by portfolio, but there are no account or program management fees |
South Carolina 529 Plan Statistics
There are 175,597 registered schools in South Carolina with a total value of $4,008,649,756. That is an average of $22,829 per account. Unfortunately, 529 plans are not widely used... a 2018 study by Edward Jones found that only 29 percent of Americans were even aware that 529 savings plans exist!