South Carolina State University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who prefer a mid-size campus. graduation rate is below 40%; freshman retention is below 65%. 68% of students receive Pell Grants — strong access mission.
About This School
South Carolina State University is a public institution located in Orangeburg, South Carolina with approximately 2,757 undergraduate students enrolled. South Carolina State University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 82%. The average net price after financial aid is $18,268 per year. The graduation rate is 29%, and the typical graduate earns $32,500 within 10 years of enrollment.
South Carolina State University is a public, historically black, land-grant university in Orangeburg, South Carolina. It is the only public, historically black land-grant research university in South Carolina, is a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
The numbers tell a mixed story here: as South Carolina's only public HBCU and land-grant institution, it offers a meaningful cultural and academic community at a relatively affordable $18,268/year net price, but a 29% graduation rate and 59% freshman retention rate signal that most students who start here don't finish — and that's a serious concern worth digging into before committing. Median earnings of $32,500 a decade out are modest, though the debt load of $20,900 at graduation is manageable if you do graduate. Worth considering if you're specifically drawn to its HBCU mission, engineering technology, or nuclear science programs, but come in with a clear plan and strong support system to beat the odds.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
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 (2,757 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Address
South Carolina State University
300 College St NE
Orangeburg, SC 29117-0001
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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