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Winthrop University

Rock Hill, SC·Public·3,523 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who prefer a mid-size campus. earnings-to-debt ratio is tight. a public school with 3,523 students.

79%
Accept
3,523
Students
$15,343
Net Price
57%
Grad Rate
$39,800
Earnings
10 yr
$26,975
Debt

About This School

Winthrop University is a public institution located in Rock Hill, South Carolina with approximately 3,523 undergraduate students enrolled. Winthrop University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 79%. The average net price after financial aid is $15,343 per year. The graduation rate is 57%, and the typical graduate earns $39,800 within 10 years of enrollment.

Winthrop University is a public university in Rock Hill, South Carolina, United States. It was founded in 1886 by David Bancroft Johnson, who served as the superintendent of Columbia, South Carolina, schools. He received a grant from Robert Charles Winthrop, a philanthropist from Boston, Massachusetts, to establish the school.

The numbers tell a mixed story here: the $16,353 average net price is genuinely affordable, and $19,000 in median debt is reasonable, but a 61% graduation rate and 73% freshman retention rate suggest a meaningful chunk of students don't finish — worth asking why when you visit. Median earnings of $39,800 a decade out are modest, so this school makes the most sense if you're pursuing a specific program with strong local or regional demand, like education or business, rather than betting on a general degree to open big doors. Worth considering if you're cost-conscious and have a clear academic direction, but go in with a plan to stay on track.

Founded
1886
Setting
Small city
Avg Faculty Salary
$8,923

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing22%
Visual & Performing Arts13%
Education13%
Biological Sciences8%
Psychology7%
Social Sciences7%
Communications5%
Computer Science2%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Andie MacDowellShanola HamptonMarco RedaMichael J. Jenkins

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

Test Policy: Considered but not required

SAT Scores

Average Composite1139
Reading 75th %ile630
Math 75th %ile590

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite23

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$14,678
Out-of-State Tuition
$28,676
Avg Net Price
$15,343
after aid

Net Price by Family Income

Under $30k$12,608
$30–48k$12,983
$48–75k$13,966
$75–110k$18,518
$110k+$21,359

Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants41%
Median debt at graduation$26,975

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
57%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
74%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$39,800
after enrollment
Median Debt
$26,975
at graduation

Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender

Male graduates$33,400
Female graduates$30,200

Gap: 10% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$26,975
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$31,300
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$39,800
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 1.5x

Worth scrutinizing. Median earnings relative to debt are tight.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White49%
Black32%
Hispanic/Latino9%
Asian2%
Two or more races6%
International2%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (3,523 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Winthrop University

701 Oakland Ave

Rock Hill, SC 29733

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in South Carolina

Browse all South Carolina schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

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.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • 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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