South Carolina State University

  • 2/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Orangeburg, SC
  • 0 reviews
#12 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

Overview

Total enrollment

3,242
South Carolina State University overview
South Carolina State University overview
  • Size Mid-size
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing Yes
  • Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

South Carolina State University, located in Orangeburg, South Carolina, approximately 40 miles southeast of Columbia, is a public historically Black university established in 1896 as the state's sole public Black land-grant institution. The 160-acre campus features a mix of historic and modern buildings, including several structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The university maintains strong academic programs in engineering, business, education, and nuclear engineering, with its nuclear engineering program being the only undergraduate program of its kind at an HBCU. Most first-year students reside in on-campus housing, and the university competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Bulldogs, participating in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

South Carolina State University is a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) primarily serving the African-American community. Explore all HBCUs

Ratings

South Carolina State University is rated within the lower 15% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 2 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    2 out of 10
  • Academics
    2 out of 10
  • Resources
    3 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    2 out of 10
  • Value
    1 out of 10

Admissions

Admission Standards

Extremely Easy
South Carolina State University admission standards
  • GPA 3.17

Acceptance Rate

82.6%
South Carolina State University applications overview
  • Applications Due Jul 31, 2027
  • Enrollment Rate 11.4%
  • Application Fee $25

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

South Carolina Resident Tuition

$11,060

Out of State Resident Tuition

$21,750

Breakdown

In State Costs for South Carolina State University
  • Tuition $11,060
  • Books and Supplies $2,000
  • Other Fees $1,532
  • Room and Board $9,000
  • Budget for Other Expenses $8,000
  • Total One Year Cost $31,592

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$31,000 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

35% within 6 years

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at South Carolina State University are Business, Work and Family Studies, and Education. 18% of students major in Business, 11% in Work and Family Studies, and 10% in Education.

  • Business 18%
  • Work and Family Studies 11%
  • Education 10%
  • Biology 9%
  • Health Professions 9%

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering South Carolina State University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=218733.

GPA calculator: South Carolina State University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026