South University-Columbia
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; freshman retention is below 65%. 58% of students receive Pell Grants — strong access mission.
About This School
South University-Columbia is a private for-profit institution located in Columbia, South Carolina with approximately 450 undergraduate students enrolled. The average net price after financial aid is $27,693 per year. The graduation rate is 23%, and the typical graduate earns $40,200 within 10 years of enrollment.
This school might appeal to working adults or career-changers in the Columbia area who want a small, flexible program and are already employed in a related field — but for most traditional students or families, the numbers here are genuinely concerning and worth taking seriously before applying. Only 23% of students graduate, and just 57% of freshmen return for sophomore year, which suggests a significant portion of students either struggle to finish or find a better fit elsewhere. At $27,693 per year in net costs, you'd be taking on real financial risk for a degree that leads to median earnings of just $40,200 a decade after enrollment — that's a tight margin when you factor in the $26,123 median debt at graduation. If you're set on a career-focused program in healthcare or business (South University's typical focus areas), I'd strongly encourage comparing this against community college pathways or regional public universities in South Carolina first, where outcomes and affordability tend to be more favorable. If this school is still on your list after that comparison, ask the admissions office directly about completion rates by your specific program — there's a meaningful difference between a school's overall graduation rate and what happens in a particular major.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 21% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
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 (450 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in South Carolina
University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia, SC · Public
Clemson University
Clemson, SC · Public
College of Charleston
Charleston, SC · Public
Trident Technical College
Charleston, SC · Public
Coastal Carolina University
Conway, SC · Public
Greenville Technical College
Greenville, SC · Public
See How Colleges Compare
South University-Columbia is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does South University-Columbia cost?
The average net price at South University-Columbia is about $27,693 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.
What is the graduation rate at South University-Columbia?
South University-Columbia has a graduation rate of 23%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
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.
- 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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