Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)

1115 College Drive, Gaffney, SC

The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston is ranked 59^th in U.S. News Research School Ranking. It is also ranked 58^th in primary care by U.S. News. MUSC is one of the oldest in the country, having been in continual operation since 1824. It is the oldest in the “Deep South.” It currently offers programs in Neuroscience, Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Pathology, Surgery and Psychiatry in the College of Medicine.

Originally known as the Medical College of South Carolina, its name was changed to MUSC in 1969 by an act of the state legislature. The same act also established MUSC as the only free standing academic health sciences center in the state, providing a comprehensive range of research, education and clinical service opportunities.

The mission of MUSC is three-pronged: education, research and the provision of health care to the state of South Carolina. The university consists of six colleges that provide health care education to over 2,500 aspiring medical professionals each year. It is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and has garnered the Gold Seal of Approval.

The College of Nursing, which was founded in 1884 as a two-year training college for nursing professionals, now offers a Bachelor’s, Master’s and two Doctoral programs. It was incorporated into MUSC in 1919.

Average tuition for residents of the State of South Carolina is $34,435, and out-of-state students’ tuition is $61,693. Approximately 92% of all students receive financial aid in some form, with the majority receiving student loans. Average debt at graduation has been calculated at approximately $173,000.