C
Average
Score: 50/100
Overall (traditional)
F
Outcome Rating
22/100 · earnings-weighted

South Carolina State University

4-Year Public HBCU
📍 Orangeburg, South Carolina 29117
ℹ️
Rating Context: ⚠️ Limited Data Available. Some metrics for this institution are incomplete or unavailable, which may affect the overall grade. Consider researching this school directly for the most current information.

Suggested Focus: For this type of institution, we recommend prioritizing the Outcomes Score (C) which measures graduation and job placement rates — the most relevant metrics for career programs.
Graduation Rate: 29%
Outcomes
C
52/100
Affordability
C+
59/100
Resources
C
47/100
Experience
B
73/100
Prestige
F
23/100

Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology

Quick Stats

3,041
Total Enrollment
29%
Graduation Rate
59%
Retention Rate
19.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
82%
Acceptance Rate
$17,928
Avg Net Price
🏠 Housing Market Near South Carolina State University ▼

1% of first-year students live off campus and not with family (U.S. Dept. of Education, IPEDS). Upper-year students at most universities move off campus at much higher rates, so near-campus rental demand is typically larger than this figure suggests.

The campus ZIP (29117) has no residential market, so these figures average 1 nearby ZIP codes within 3 miles of campus (29115).

Avg Home Value
$126,872
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,016
1-Year Change
+5.4%

Earnings, Debt & Completion

What happens to students who enroll at South Carolina State University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.

$38,262
Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$30,064
Median earnings 6 yrs after entry
$31,000
Median debt at graduation
36.6%
Completion rate (within 150% of normal time)
17
Median ACT
70.5%
Students receiving Pell grants

Typical debt at graduation equals about 81% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.

Earnings rank: 10th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (SC wage index 0.81). This drives the Outcome Rating.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.

Earnings by Major at South Carolina State University

Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.

Major1 yr after4 yrs aftervs. nationalRank (pay)Rank (wage-adj.)Median debt
Computer and Information Sciences$30,082$66,821-28%#400 of 459#354$31,000
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians—$63,129-23%#59 of 61#56—
Business Administration, Management and Operations$25,518$48,108-30%#1119 of 1176#1054$31,500
Criminal Justice and Corrections$32,576$45,061-19%#608 of 660#534$27,000
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$30,676$41,075-20%#332 of 345#321$31,000
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences$29,618$40,050-17%#41 of 49#40$32,625
Biology$25,938$37,940-34%#829 of 841#821$30,450
Communication and Media Studies—$33,586-40%#655 of 660#651$31,000

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.

For parents & investors

The South Carolina State University Town Property Report

  • Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 29115 (6.2% cap, Orangeburg)

Get the free 1-page report: rent-vs-dorm math, the 3 best nearby ZIPs by yield, and the “kiddie condo” strategy parents use.

✓ Sent — check your inbox

Free — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.

🏆 Where South Carolina State University Ranks

Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.

#22
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General
of 22 schools

Costs & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Category In-State Out-of-State
Tuition $9,528 $20,218
Room $6,400
Board $3,290
Total Cost (On-Campus) $30,060 $40,750

Financial Aid

97%
Receive Any Aid
77%
Receive Pell Grants
71%
Take Out Loans
$17,928
Avg Net Price

Net Price by Family Income

Family Income Average Net Price
$0 - $30,000$17,089
$30,001 - $48,000$17,509
$48,001 - $75,000$19,611
$75,001 - $110,000$24,555
$110,001+$25,130

Programs & Career Paths

Top Degree Programs

Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.

Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist 38 grads/yr Educational Leadership and Administration, General 32 grads/yr Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General 30 grads/yr Business Administration and Management, General 25 grads/yr Biology/Biological Sciences, General 23 grads/yr Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration 18 grads/yr Psychology, General 17 grads/yr Computer and Information Sciences, General 15 grads/yr Physical Education Teaching and Coaching 12 grads/yr Mechanical/Mechanical Engineering Technology/Technician 11 grads/yr Business/Commerce, General 10 grads/yr Social Work 9 grads/yr Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies, General 9 grads/yr Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions, Other 8 grads/yr Marketing/Marketing Management, General 8 grads/yr Mass Communication/Media Studies 7 grads/yr Elementary Education and Teaching 6 grads/yr Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations 6 grads/yr Early Childhood Education and Teaching 6 grads/yr Music Management 5 grads/yr

Related Career Paths

Careers that graduates from South Carolina State University's top programs commonly pursue.

Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
$106k/yr 289,600 jobs
Speech-language pathologists
$95k/yr 187,400 jobs
Audiologists
$92k/yr 15,800 jobs
Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary
$104k/yr 333,300 jobs
Education administrators, postsecondary
$104k/yr 226,600 jobs
Education administrators, all other
$89k/yr 60,200 jobs
Education and childcare administrators, preschool and daycare
$56k/yr 90,200 jobs
Family and consumer sciences teachers, postsecondary
$77k/yr 3,200 jobs

Student Demographics

3,041
Total Students
57%
Women
94%
Traditional Age (18-24)
1%
Off-Campus Renters

👥 Race & Ethnicity

White 2%
Black 92%
Two or More 2%

🏠 Living Arrangements

On Campus 98%
Off-Campus (Renters) 1%
With Family 1%
🏘️ Rental Demand: ~24 students need off-campus housing

💻 Learning Mode

In-Person 40%
Hybrid (Some Online) 54%
Fully Online 6%

📊 Age Distribution

18-24 (Traditional) 94%
25-64 (Adult) 4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at South Carolina State University?
South Carolina State University has an acceptance rate of 82%. This indicates a less selective admissions process with good chances for qualified applicants.
How much does it cost to attend South Carolina State University?
Tuition at South Carolina State University is $9,528 for in-state students and $20,218 for out-of-state students . However, the average net price after financial aid is $17,928.
What is the graduation rate at South Carolina State University?
The graduation rate at South Carolina State University is 29%. This graduation rate is low, which may reflect the institution's student population, program types, or other factors worth investigating.
Is South Carolina State University a good school?
South Carolina State University has a Repit College Score of 50/100 (Grade: C). Our rating evaluates five key factors:
  • Outcomes (C): Graduation and retention rates
  • Affordability (C+): Net cost and financial aid access
  • Resources (C): Class sizes and selectivity
  • Experience (B): Campus life and learning format
  • Prestige (F): Reputation and recognition
Note: As a smaller institution, we recommend focusing on the Outcomes score when evaluating this school.
How many students attend South Carolina State University?
South Carolina State University has a total enrollment of 3,041 students. Most students (94%) are traditional college-age (18-24).
Is there rental demand near South Carolina State University?
Yes! Approximately 1% of students at South Carolina State University live off-campus (not with family). That's roughly 24 students who need rental housing near campus.

Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for South Carolina State University — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →

🎓 Similar Colleges to South Carolina State University

Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.

C
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, SC · 3,117 students
C+
University of South Carolina Aiken
Aiken, SC · 3,855 students
C+
University of South Carolina Beaufort
Bluffton, SC · 2,121 students
C+
University of South Carolina-Upstate
Spartanburg, SC · 4,946 students
C+
Lander University
Greenwood, SC · 4,363 students
C+
Francis Marion University
Florence, SC · 4,017 students

Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology