Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine
Charleston, SC
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School Detail
APPLICATION FEE
$95
Tuition In State
$38,658
Tuition Out of State
$67,773
Average GPA
3.7
AVERAGE MCAT
511
School Overview
- Degrees
- MD
- Ownership
- Public Non-Profit
- Program Length
- 4 years
- Total Enrollment
- 162
- Founding Year
- 1824
- Accreditation Year
- 1942
- Alternative Length
- 3 years
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SDN Insights
Cost of Attendance: $333,173
Estimate repayment
Estimated loan burden for MUSC using 4 years of in-state tuition, $1,500 annual fees, $3,000 monthly living expenses, government-derived local cost-of-living adjustment, $1,000 loan fees, and an 8.5% interest assumption.
Cost of Living: Near national average cost of living
Charleston, SC is close to the national average for cost of living. In the debt estimate, the government-derived local cost adjustment keeps the $3,000 monthly allowance at about $3,030 per month. Treat this as a city-level budgeting estimate, not the school's official cost of attendance.
Environment: Urban
Nestled in an area with excellent walkability and strong biking infrastructure, MUSC offers students flexibility in how they get around. Whether on foot or bike, most destinations are easily accessible, making for a convenient daily routine.
Interview Feedback
Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 24% of interviews, indicating it is highly regarded. They found the interview very impressive with a low stress level and felt they did well.
Secondary Essays for MUSC
1. Other
Please discuss your primary interest in attending the Medical University of South Carolina. (2000 characters)
2. Other
Please share any important aspects of your background, identity, and/or experiences that have impacted your ability to relate to and work with diverse communities. (3000 characters)
3. Personal Attributes and Characteristics
For re-applicants: Describe what you have done since last applying to strengthen your candidacy for medical school. (2000 characters)
4. Motivation and Fit
Please discuss your main reason for wanting to attend the Medical University of South Carolina.
5. Academic and Research Experiences
Please describe the type of research you wish to pursue in graduate school.
About the School
Established in 1824, the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) College of Medicine is the oldest medical school in the Deep South and forms part of the state’s only comprehensive academic health system. Situated in Charleston, MUSC encompasses six colleges and educates over 3,100 students annually, including more than 720 medical students. The institution is a leader in federal and National Institutes of Health research funding within South Carolina and operates an extensive health system comprising 16 hospitals, approximately 2,700 beds, over 350 telehealth sites, and nearly 750 care locations statewide.
Curriculum
The MUSC College of Medicine offers a flexible curriculum designed to accommodate diverse student goals. While the traditional four-year Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) program remains standard, the college also provides a three-year accelerated M.D. track—South Carolina’s only such program—for select, academically gifted students. Additionally, MUSC offers dual-degree options, including M.D./Ph.D., M.D./Master of Public Health (MPH), M.D./Master of Business Administration (MBA), and M.D./Master of Science in Clinical Research, allowing students to tailor their education to specific career paths.
MUSC offers specialties in Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, OBGYN, Neurology, Psychiatry, and Pathology. Eligibility and continued participation are based on sustained demonstration of outstanding academic and professional performance. Students accepted into the program will complete all clerkships, 4 weeks of electives, an AMP selective, and tailored courses during the final enrichment phase.
MUSC offers specialties in Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, OBGYN, Neurology, Psychiatry, and Pathology. Eligibility and continued participation are based on sustained demonstration of outstanding academic and professional performance. Students accepted into the program will complete all clerkships, 4 weeks of electives, an AMP selective, and tailored courses during the final enrichment phase.
Facilities
In December 2024, MUSC initiated construction of a new 186,000-square-foot College of Medicine building—the first dedicated facility for the college in over a century. This state-of-the-art building will feature active-learning classrooms, student study and relaxation areas, faculty and staff offices, and wellness spaces, providing a centralized hub for medical education. The facility is scheduled to open in summer 2027. Beyond this, MUSC’s campus includes specialized centers such as the Hollings Cancer Center, Ashley River Tower, and the Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital, all contributing to a comprehensive clinical training environment.
Demographics
The MUSC College of Medicine is committed to serving South Carolina’s healthcare needs. In 2023, the college received approximately 4,000 applications for 180 available seats, with 900 applicants being qualified in-state students. The entering class of 2028 comprises 186 students, reflecting a slight increase over previous years. Notably, MUSC retains a significant portion of its graduates within the state; over 47% of alumni continue to work in South Carolina a decade after graduation, underscoring the university’s role in addressing regional healthcare workforce needs.
Last Updated: May 21, 2026