College should be affordable. At Palmetto Ridge, most students who qualify for a Pell Grant and SC state aid pay little or nothing for tuition.
2026–27 tuition (per semester, full-time, 12+ credits)
| Residency | Tuition & fees |
|---|---|
| In-county (Cypress County) | $2,490 |
| Other South Carolina counties | $2,880 |
| Out-of-state & international | $5,160 |
Books average $600 per year. Many courses use free, open textbooks, marked "Zero Textbook Cost" in the class schedule.
Ways to pay less
- Federal Pell Grant: up to $7,395 per year, never repaid.
- SC Lottery Tuition Assistance and SC WINS: state aid for South Carolina residents.
- Hawks Promise Scholarship: free tuition for Lowcountry high school graduates from families earning under $60,000.
- Foundation scholarships: more than 140 awards with one simple application.
- Payment plans: split your balance into four interest-free monthly payments.
FAFSA Fridays. Get free, one-on-one help filling out the FAFSA every Friday from 1–5 PM in Ridgeview Commons 120.