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PrivateUrbanHBCU

Benedict College

Columbia, South Carolina 29204-1086

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Sciences-focusedTight-knitUrbanHBCU

Known for business — excellent value

Benedict College is a private institution in Columbia with particular strength in business and biology. With an average SAT of 910, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A small campus of 1.6K undergraduates with a 14:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

21% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $31,902 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $17,781.

Established
1870
Motto
A Power for Good in Society
Type
Private historically black college
Division
Division II

Plan Your Visit

67%Acceptance
910SAT Avg
1,573Students
14:1Student:Faculty
21%Grad Rate
$31,902Earnings 10yr
$17,781Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate67.3%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 910

Reading & Writing
420510
Math
400500

ACT Score Range

Composite
1419

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$18,000
Room & Board$7,000
Books & Supplies$1,600
Total Cost of Attendance$29,921
Average Net Price$17,781
Median Debt at Graduation$32,500
Monthly Payment (10yr)$345

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$16,807
$30–48K$17,415
$48–75K$19,763
$75–110K$19,885
$110K+$24,076

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

33.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

-2.0%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$16,000

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

11

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

3

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

3

Drug Arrests

2

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (40)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

65%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
1,573
Gender Split
53% / 47%
Women / Men
First Generation
41%
Pell Grant Recipients
63%

Race & Ethnicity

White 1%
Black 77%
Hispanic 2%
Int'l 13%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate21.1%
Freshman Retention65.1%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$24,908
10 Years$31,902

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • History Benedict Institute opened on December 12, 1870.
  • Benedict's first class consisted of ten freedmen; the teacher was the Reverend Timothy Dodge.
  • Classes were first held in the "Big House" of the plantation, which had been built in 1839 and deteriorated during the war.
  • On November 2, 1894, the institution was chartered as a four-year liberal arts college by the South Carolina legislature and its name was changed to Benedict College.
  • From 1870 to 1930, Benedict College was led by a succession of seven northern white Baptist ministers, all college-educated.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

97Average

Estimated from SC state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 5"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Charlottepop. 880K
84 mi(146 min)
Raleighpop. 470K
182 mi(315 min)
Atlantapop. 500K
194 mi(336 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

CLT Charlotte83 mi
RDU Raleigh-Durham181 mi
ATL Atlanta197 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA790 mi · ~22h 49m drive
New York, NY602 mi · ~17h 23m drive
Hartford, CT702 mi · ~20h 17m drive
Providence, RI751 mi · ~21h 42m drive
Albany, NY714 mi · ~20h 38m drive
Syracuse, NY677 mi · ~19h 33m drive
Rochester, NY658 mi · ~19h 1m drive
Buffalo, NY624 mi · ~18h 2m drive
Philadelphia, PA522 mi · ~15h 5m drive
Pittsburgh, PA448 mi · ~12h 57m drive
Harrisburg, PA489 mi · ~14h 8m drive
Newark, NJ597 mi · ~17h 15m drive
Washington, DC404 mi · ~11h 40m drive
Baltimore, MD439 mi · ~12h 41m drive
Atlanta, GA194 mi · ~5h 36m drive
Charlotte, NC84 mi · ~2h 26m drive
Raleigh, NC182 mi · ~5h 15m drive
Miami, FL572 mi · ~16h 31m drive
Orlando, FL379 mi · ~10h 57m drive
Tampa, FL427 mi · ~12h 20m drive
Nashville, TN358 mi · ~10h 21m drive
New Orleans, LA600 mi · ~17h 20m drive
Richmond, VA316 mi · ~9h 8m drive
Chicago, IL651 mi · ~18h 48m drive
Detroit, MI585 mi · ~16h 54m drive
Minneapolis, MN998 mi · ~28h 50m drive
St. Louis, MO602 mi · ~17h 23m drive
Kansas City, MO829 mi · ~23h 57m drive
Indianapolis, IN488 mi · ~14h 6m drive
Columbus, OH425 mi · ~12h 17m drive
Cleveland, OH519 mi · ~15h drive
Milwaukee, WI726 mi · ~20h 58m drive
Dallas, TX913 mi · ~26h 23m drive
Houston, TX891 mi · ~25h 44m drive
Austin, TX1011 mi · ~29h 12m drive
San Antonio, TX1073 mi · ~31h drive
Los Angeles, CA2119 mi · ~61h 13m drive
San Francisco, CA2313 mi · ~66h 49m drive
San Diego, CA2077 mi · ~60h drive
Seattle, WA2322 mi · ~67h 5m drive
Portland, OR2321 mi · ~67h 3m drive
Denver, CO1378 mi · ~39h 49m drive
Phoenix, AZ1778 mi · ~51h 22m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1748 mi · ~50h 30m drive
Honolulu, HI4679 mi · ~135h 10m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Deadline Calendar

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