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Lander University
Lander University says yes to 81.3% of applicants. Focus less on getting in and more on what's below — starting with the $42,396 median earnings.
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Lander University anchors the college town of Greenwood, SC, where the public campus and town largely share a footprint.
Its highest-earning path is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, where graduates median $75,458 four years out. 38.7% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 3,397 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 69.6% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 960 and 1160 — below the SC middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Lander University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Lander University received 5,184 applications and admitted 3,521 (67.9%), with 846 enrolling.
Lander University is test-optional: scores are considered when submitted but not required. The 960–1160 range below describes admitted students who chose to submit — typically Lander University's stronger testers — so treat it as the higher end of what gets in.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 490 | 540 | 590 |
| SAT Math | 470 | 520 | 570 |
| ACT Composite | 17 | 20 | 24 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
How Lander University compares
| Lander University | South Carolina median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 81.3% | 72.5% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $11,700 | $17,440 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $42,396 | $44,354 | $53,781 |
At $42,396, ten-year earnings trail the state median ($44,354). Look at Lander University's major-level rows below before reading too much into the campus-wide number.
Cost, size & completion
In-state students pay $11,700 in tuition; crossing a state border raises that to $21,300. For non-residents, Lander University's $21,300 is the number to weigh against private options before assuming public means cheaper.
At 3,397 undergrads, Lander University is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.
49.8% graduate within six years. Roughly 50% don't — ask a Lander University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Lander University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $75,458 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $52,512 |
| Biology, General | $51,767 |
| Political Science and Government | $50,079 |
| Sociology | $44,287 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $43,637 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $43,098 |
| History | $41,783 |
| Psychology, General | $41,110 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $40,202 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $39,428 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $36,568 |
Median earnings for these 12 Lander University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $42,396 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 19 additional Lander University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Lander University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 960–1160 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 81.3% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Lander University's acceptance rate?
67.9% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 3,521 admitted from 5,184 applicants.
How much does Lander University cost?
In-state tuition is $11,700; out-of-state students pay $21,300. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Lander University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $42,396 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in South Carolina
- North Greenville University — 66.7% admitted
- Erskine College — 62.7% admitted
- Converse University — 67.7% admitted
- Presbyterian College — 68.4% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.