Below Average

Score: 42/100

Overall (traditional)

C+

Outcome Rating

55/100 · earnings-weighted

University of South Carolina-Lancaster

2-Year Public

📍 Lancaster, South Carolina 29720

🌐 www.sc.edu/about/system_and_campuses/lancaster/index.php

University of South Carolina-Lancaster — acceptance rate 76%, tuition $7,158 in-state, $17,838 out-of-state

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 (D) which measures graduation and job placement rates — the most relevant metrics for career programs.
Graduation Rate: 29%

Outcomes

38/100

Affordability

C+

64/100

Resources

47/100

Experience

37/100

Prestige

26/100

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

2,328

Total Enrollment

29%

Graduation Rate

38%

Retention Rate

20.0:1

Student-Faculty Ratio

76%

Acceptance Rate

$10,510

Avg Net Price

🏠 Housing Market Near University of South Carolina-Lancaster ▼

47% 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.

Avg Home Value

$291,373

Avg Monthly Rent

$1,323

1-Year Change

+2.4%

See full rental market data for 29720 →

Earnings, Debt & Completion

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

$39,426

Median earnings 10 yrs after entry

$35,206

Median earnings 6 yrs after entry

$9,616

Median debt at graduation

24.7%

Completion rate (within 150% of normal time)

10%

Students receiving Pell grants

Typical debt at graduation equals about 24% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.

Earnings rank: 71st percentile among associate-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 University of South Carolina-Lancaster

Median pay of associate'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.

Major	1 yr after	4 yrs after	vs. national	Rank (pay)	Rank (wage-adj.)	Median debt
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing	$65,139	—	—	—	—	—
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities	$22,995	$44,036	+-0%	#407 of 947	#187	$9,992
Business/Commerce	—	$41,647	-17%	#173 of 205	#151	$10,624

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 University of South Carolina-Lancaster Town Property Report

Avg home value near campus: $291,373
Avg rent near campus: $1,323/mo
Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 29714 (3.8% cap, Fort Lawn)

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Costs & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Category	In-State	Out-of-State
Tuition	$7,158	$17,838

Financial Aid

92%

Receive Any Aid

36%

Receive Pell Grants

37%

Take Out Loans

$10,510

Avg Net Price

Net Price by Family Income

Family Income	Average Net Price
$0 - $30,000	$6,491
$30,001 - $48,000	$6,974
$48,001 - $75,000	$11,940
$75,001 - $110,000	$13,432
$110,001+	$13,636

Programs & Career Paths

Top Degree Programs

Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.

Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies 128 grads/yr Business/Commerce, General 42 grads/yr Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration 12 grads/yr

Related Career Paths

Careers that graduates from University of South Carolina-Lancaster's top programs commonly pursue.

Postsecondary teachers, all other

$78k/yr 183,400 jobs

Chief executives

$206k/yr 309,400 jobs

Sales managers

$138k/yr 619,500 jobs

Managers, all other

$137k/yr 1,333,700 jobs

Industrial production managers

$121k/yr 241,900 jobs

Administrative services managers

$108k/yr 271,200 jobs

Construction managers

$107k/yr 550,300 jobs

Facilities managers

$105k/yr 151,400 jobs

Student Demographics

2,328

Total Students

58%

Women

29%

Traditional Age (18-24)

47%

Off-Campus Renters

👥 Race & Ethnicity

White 66%

Hispanic 9%

Black 13%

Asian 3%

Two or More 5%

Non-Resident 1%

🏠 Living Arrangements

Off-Campus (Renters) 47%

With Family 53%

🏘️ Rental Demand: ~1,101 students need off-campus housing

💻 Learning Mode

In-Person 43%

Hybrid (Some Online) 33%

Fully Online 24%

📊 Age Distribution

18-24 (Traditional) 29%

25-64 (Adult) 4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at University of South Carolina-Lancaster?

University of South Carolina-Lancaster has an acceptance rate of 76%. This indicates a less selective admissions process with good chances for qualified applicants.

How much does it cost to attend University of South Carolina-Lancaster?

Tuition at University of South Carolina-Lancaster is $7,158 for in-state students and $17,838 for out-of-state students . However, the average net price after financial aid is $10,510.

What is the graduation rate at University of South Carolina-Lancaster?

The graduation rate at University of South Carolina-Lancaster is 29%. This graduation rate is low, which may reflect the institution's student population, program types, or other factors worth investigating.

Is University of South Carolina-Lancaster a good school?

University of South Carolina-Lancaster has a Repit College Score of 42/100 (Grade: D). Our rating evaluates five key factors:

Outcomes (D): Graduation and retention rates
Affordability (C+): Net cost and financial aid access
Resources (C): Class sizes and selectivity
Experience (D): 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 University of South Carolina-Lancaster?

University of South Carolina-Lancaster has a total enrollment of 2,328 students.

Is there rental demand near University of South Carolina-Lancaster?

Yes! Approximately 47% of students at University of South Carolina-Lancaster live off-campus (not with family). That's roughly 1,101 students who need rental housing near campus. This represents significant rental demand, which affects housing availability and pricing in the Lancaster area.

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