Benedict College
A good fit for students who want small classes and close faculty access and students from lower-income families. graduation rate is below 25% — most students don't finish here. 63% of students receive Pell Grants — strong access mission.
About This School
Benedict College is a private nonprofit institution located in Columbia, South Carolina with approximately 1,573 undergraduate students enrolled. Benedict College has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 67%. The average net price after financial aid is $17,781 per year. The graduation rate is 21%, and the typical graduate earns $27,300 within 10 years of enrollment.
Benedict College is a private historically black college in Columbia, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1870 by northern Baptists, it was originally a teachers' college. It has since expanded to offer majors in many disciplines across the liberal arts. The campus includes buildings in the Benedict College Historic District, a historic area listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The numbers here tell a mixed story — as a historically Black institution with roots going back to 1870, Benedict offers a meaningful community and an affordable price point (median debt of just $16,000), but a 21% graduation rate means most students who start here don't finish, which is a serious concern. Median earnings of $27,300 a decade after enrollment are modest, so you'll want to think carefully about your specific major and career plan before committing. Worth considering if you're drawn to the HBCU experience and Columbia, SC, but visit campus, talk to current students, and go in with a clear strategy for staying on track to graduate.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,573 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in South Carolina
University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia, SC · Public
Clemson University
Clemson, SC · Public
Trident Technical College
Charleston, SC · Public
College of Charleston
Charleston, SC · Public
Coastal Carolina University
Conway, SC · Public
Greenville Technical College
Greenville, SC · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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