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South Carolina State University
South Carolina State University says yes to 82.6% of applicants. Focus less on getting in and more on what's below — starting with the $38,262 median earnings.
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South Carolina State University anchors the college town of Orangeburg, SC, where the public campus and town largely share a footprint. It is one of the nation's historically Black colleges and universities, a designation that shapes both its history and its present mission. It carries a land-grant charter — the 1862 mandate that ties it to agricultural and practical education.
Its highest-earning path is Computer and Information Sciences, General, where graduates median $66,821 four years out. 70.5% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 2,934 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 56.5% of first-years come back for a second year.
South Carolina State University won't look at test scores — here the GPA calculator is the tool that matters. Bring your saved semester numbers and see what they average.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, South Carolina State University received 9,830 applications and admitted 8,034 (81.7%), with 1,079 enrolling.
Leave the SAT prep out of this one — test scores are disregarded entirely. South Carolina State University's 82.6% admission rate turned on grades and application strength.
How South Carolina State University compares
| South Carolina State University | South Carolina median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 82.6% | 72.5% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $11,060 | $17,440 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $38,262 | $44,354 | $53,781 |
At $38,262, ten-year earnings trail the state median ($44,354). Look at South Carolina State University's major-level rows below before reading too much into the campus-wide number.
Cost, size & completion
In-state students pay $11,060 in tuition; crossing a state border raises that to $21,750. For non-residents, South Carolina State University's $21,750 is the number to weigh against private options before assuming public means cheaper.
At 2,934 undergrads, South Carolina State University is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.
Fewer than half of South Carolina State University students — 36.6% — finish within six years. That number should shape how much debt feels safe.
Top majors by earnings at South Carolina State University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $66,821 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $63,129 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $48,108 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $45,061 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $41,075 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $40,050 |
| Biology, General | $37,940 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $33,586 |
Median earnings for these 8 South Carolina State University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $38,262 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 34 additional South Carolina State University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for South Carolina State University?
South Carolina State University doesn't look at test scores; its 82.6% admission rate turned on transcripts, coursework rigor and the application itself.
What is South Carolina State University's acceptance rate?
81.7% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 8,034 admitted from 9,830 applicants.
How much does South Carolina State University cost?
In-state tuition is $11,060; out-of-state students pay $21,750. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do South Carolina State University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $38,262 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in South Carolina
- Coastal Carolina University — 75.3% admitted
- University of South Carolina-Upstate — 67.3% admitted
- University of South Carolina-Union — 62.2% admitted
- University of South Carolina-Sumter — 74.1% 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.