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PublicTownHBCU

South Carolina State University

Orangeburg, South Carolina 29117-0001

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

College townHBCU

Known for business

South Carolina State University is a public institution in Orangeburg with particular strength in business and biology.

A mid-sized campus of 2.8K undergraduates with a 19:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

29% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $38,262 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $18,268.

Established
1896
Motto
Scientia, Officium, Honos
Type
Public universityHBCULand-grant university
Division
Division I

Campus Visits

23 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Visit

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82%Acceptance
SAT Avg
2,757Students
19:1Student:Faculty
29%Grad Rate
$38,262Earnings 10yr
$18,268Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate81.7%

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

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$11,060
Tuition (out-of-state)$21,750
Room & Board$9,000
Books & Supplies$2,000
Total Cost of Attendance$29,957
Average Net Price$18,268
Median Debt at Graduation$31,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$329

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$17,089
$30–48K$17,509
$48–75K$19,611
$75–110K$24,555
$110K+$25,130

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

34.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

0.5%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$20,900

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

18

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

4

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

2

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

6

Drug Arrests

4

Liquor Arrests

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

Programs (59)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

59%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
2,757
Gender Split
56% / 44%
Women / Men
First Generation
36%
Pell Grant Recipients
68%

Race & Ethnicity

White 1%
Black 93%
Two+ 3%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate29.4%
Freshman Retention58.8%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$30,064
10 Years$38,262

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

Rankings

U.S. News
#76
vs 2024

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • The New Deal Programs were used to create, among other things, Wilkinson Hall, the university's first separate library building (now home to Admissions and Financial Aid).
  • In 1947, the United States Army created an ROTC detachment, in which all male students were required to enroll until mandatory enrollment ended in 1969.
  • The law program folded in 1966 after the University of South Carolina integrated.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

90Average

Estimated from SC state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 0"Sunny days: 240Rainy days: 85

Nearest Cities

Charlottepop. 880K
119 mi(206 min)
Raleighpop. 470K
202 mi(350 min)
Atlantapop. 500K
204 mi(354 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

CLT Charlotte119 mi
RDU Raleigh-Durham202 mi
ATL Atlanta206 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA811 mi · ~23h 26m drive
New York, NY625 mi · ~18h 3m drive
Hartford, CT725 mi · ~20h 57m drive
Providence, RI772 mi · ~22h 18m drive
Albany, NY740 mi · ~21h 23m drive
Syracuse, NY707 mi · ~20h 25m drive
Rochester, NY690 mi · ~19h 56m drive
Buffalo, NY657 mi · ~18h 59m drive
Philadelphia, PA546 mi · ~15h 46m drive
Pittsburgh, PA482 mi · ~13h 55m drive
Harrisburg, PA517 mi · ~14h 56m drive
Newark, NJ620 mi · ~17h 55m drive
Washington, DC430 mi · ~12h 25m drive
Baltimore, MD464 mi · ~13h 24m drive
Atlanta, GA204 mi · ~5h 54m drive
Charlotte, NC119 mi · ~3h 26m drive
Raleigh, NC202 mi · ~5h 50m drive
Miami, FL536 mi · ~15h 29m drive
Orlando, FL344 mi · ~9h 56m drive
Tampa, FL395 mi · ~11h 25m drive
Nashville, TN383 mi · ~11h 4m drive
New Orleans, LA595 mi · ~17h 11m drive
Richmond, VA339 mi · ~9h 48m drive
Chicago, IL687 mi · ~19h 51m drive
Detroit, MI622 mi · ~17h 58m drive
Minneapolis, MN1032 mi · ~29h 49m drive
St. Louis, MO631 mi · ~18h 14m drive
Kansas City, MO856 mi · ~24h 44m drive
Indianapolis, IN524 mi · ~15h 8m drive
Columbus, OH462 mi · ~13h 21m drive
Cleveland, OH555 mi · ~16h 2m drive
Milwaukee, WI762 mi · ~22h 1m drive
Dallas, TX923 mi · ~26h 40m drive
Houston, TX892 mi · ~25h 46m drive
Austin, TX1015 mi · ~29h 19m drive
San Antonio, TX1076 mi · ~31h 5m drive
Los Angeles, CA2136 mi · ~61h 42m drive
San Francisco, CA2334 mi · ~67h 26m drive
San Diego, CA2092 mi · ~60h 26m drive
Seattle, WA2351 mi · ~67h 55m drive
Portland, OR2348 mi · ~67h 50m drive
Denver, CO1401 mi · ~40h 28m drive
Phoenix, AZ1793 mi · ~51h 48m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1772 mi · ~51h 11m drive
Honolulu, HI4696 mi · ~135h 40m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Visit Planning

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