See the University of South Carolina Beyond the Campus Tour.
Private tours led by current USC students.
Tours 7 days a weekWe run fully private tours led by current students to give you a true perspective of everything, both on and off campus.
College is a huge investment in your future and personal growth, but academics are only half the story.
Students spend about 75% of their time outside class and that often defines their entire college experience.
Tour College Towns shows you the real Columbia life, guided by current students who live it every day.
Private tours · Virtual 1-on-1s · Custom group tours
This was not the typical "marketing" type of University tour where everything is painted as sunshine and roses. You will get an honest and very informative tour using their service.
Parent Google
We got so much out of it, more than if we went on a general tour I think. And we were able to do it at a time that worked for us.
Family visit Google
My kid arrived a little nervous and by the end of our tour he couldn't stop smiling.
Parent Google
What stood out most was their ability to customize the experience so everyone was able to see the parts of campus they were most interested in, which is no small feat with a large group and a sprawling campus.
Group booking Google
We and our son found the information highly valuable. Take this tour - it's well worth it!
Parent Google
They showed our two grandsons the entire main campus, making certain to emphasize their interests, while exploring the social side as well. There was never a shortage of conversation or perspectives. We grandparents enjoyed interacting with them too.
Grandparent Google
They gave us a complete tour and they answered any and all questions we had. They really gave us insight as to what student life would be and represented the school well. Would highly recommend them for a campus tour!
Family visit Google
They were super easy to work with, adjusted day of for the attendees, and very professional!
Department event Google
Three ways to see USC.
In person, over video, or with your whole group. Tours run seven days a week, around your visit.
Private tour
60 to 90 minutes
Just your family and a current USC student. Campus, Five Points, Greek life, and the neighborhoods upperclassmen rent in, shaped around your questions.
Book this tour →Virtual 1-on-1
30 minutes over video
Can't get to Columbia yet? Ask a USC student anything about dorms, classes, Greek life, or what a normal week feels like.
Book this tour →Group tour
Built for your group
Bringing friends or a school group? We build the route and pair you with the right guides.
Request a quote →Why families book us
What makes our tour different.
The official tour runs the same route for everyone. Yours does not.
Built around your questions
Tell us what matters before you arrive. Five Points, Greek Village, where upperclassmen rent.
A guide that matches your family
The USC student closest to your student's major and interests.
Timing that fits your trip
Seven days a week, early or late, around your visit.
Private
Your family and a current student.
Honest answers
We are independent of the university. No script, nothing to sell you.
Our Team
Built by students, for students.
Max Kaufmann
USC Campus Lead
View bio
Max was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, and is a sophomore at South Carolina studying finance and international business. Whenever he can get outdoors, he's fishing, golfing or taking photos.
Liam Zirkle
Co-founder
View bio
Born in Colorado. Studied finance and real estate at CU Boulder. Now expanding TCT while building a second startup in AI and tech. Skis, trains for endurance events and travels.
Ben Chwalek
Co-founder
View bio
Graduated from CU Boulder in personal financial planning. Works full time at Fidelity in Boston and builds TCT alongside it. Trains for Ironman and golfs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tour College Towns?
Tour College Towns runs private tours of college towns, led by current students, for parents and students deciding where to go to school. In Columbia, that means a private campus tour for parents and their student: your guide walks your family through campus and the parts of town the official tour skips, and answers parents' questions about housing, Greek life and what a normal week looks like. We are independent and not affiliated with any college or university.
Who leads the tours?
A current University of South Carolina student, trained by us and named on this page. Max Kaufmann is our USC Campus Lead and runs the tours here. We match your guide to what your student cares about.
How much does a tour cost, and how long is it?
A private tour is $150 for your whole group, not per person, and runs 60 to 90 minutes at your family's pace. Siblings and grandparents come along at no extra cost. A Virtual 1-on-1 is $50 for 30 minutes over video. Group tours are quoted.
How is it different from the official tour?
If the official admissions tour is full on the dates you are visiting Columbia, ours still runs, seven days a week. The official tour covers admissions and academics and runs the same route for everyone. Ours covers the rest, where students live, eat, and spend their weekends, built around your questions. Do both if you can. The official visit is a 20-minute admissions presentation plus a 90-minute student-led walking tour, held on weekdays and booked on the university's website, as of October 2026.
When can I take the tour?
Any day of the week, weekends included and often on short notice. Private tours of campus and Columbia run seven days a week, early or late, around your visit. Weekdays during the semester show campus at its busiest. Private tours meet at Greene and Sumter Streets (Greene St at Sumter St, near Thomas Cooper Library), and the spot is in your confirmation email. Rescheduling is free up to 24 hours before your tour.
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Ready to tour Columbia?
See Columbia like a local, with a current student as your guide.
7 days a week · Private tours · Virtual 1-on-1s · Group tours