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University of South Carolina Aiken

University of South Carolina Aiken is a public campus in suburban Aiken, SC.

What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23

family-income band

$7,618

family income
under $30k

$10,107

$30–48k

$12,688

$48–75k

$16,097

$75–110k

$16,708

over $110k

Average net price

$11,6412023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

Average net price at University of South Carolina Aiken rose from $9,655 (2008) to $11,641 (2023).

Average net price — data
Year	Net price
2008	$9,655
2009	$9,467
2010	$10,002
2011	$10,997
2012	$11,363
2013	$13,391
2014	$13,538
2015	$14,589
2016	$14,927
2017	$14,969
2018	$15,050
2019	$12,387
2020	$12,309
2021	$11,476
2022	$11,611
2023	$11,641

IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$21,5402024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

Total cost at University of South Carolina Aiken rose from $16,525 (2009) to $21,540 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
Year	Cost
2009	$16,525
2010	$16,677
2011	$17,504
2012	$18,075
2013	$18,466
2014	$19,759
2015	$20,023
2016	$21,724
2017	$21,905
2018	$22,106
2019	$22,683
2020	$20,735
2021	$20,205
2022	$20,783
2023	$20,922
2024	$21,540

IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition (in-state vs out-of-state)

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition — data
Year	In-state	Out-of-state
2000	$3,578	$8,104
2001	$3,738	$8,264
2002	$4,374	$9,084
2003	$5,026	$10,166
2004	$5,622	$11,264
2005	$5,928	$12,070
2006	$6,700	$13,280
2007	$7,036	$13,952
2008	$7,582	$14,946
2013	$9,308	$18,340
2014	$9,602	$18,926
2015	$9,878	$19,472
2016	$10,196	$20,102
2017	$10,502	$20,702
2018	$10,760	$21,218
2019	$10,760	$21,218
2020	$10,760	$21,218
2021	$10,760	$21,218
2022	$10,760	$21,218
2023	$10,760	$21,218

IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)

Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

University of South Carolina Aiken reports tuition of $10,760 for in-state students and $21,218 for out-of-state students. Check University of South Carolina Aiken’s residency rules, attendance budget and aid offer. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

At 2,962 undergrads, University of South Carolina Aiken is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.

39.9% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at University of South Carolina Aiken within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart

39.9%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

The six-year graduation rate at University of South Carolina Aiken rose from 32.1% (entered 1991) to 39.9% (entered 2018).

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
Year	Graduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort	32.1%
1992 cohort	30.6%
1993 cohort	33.9%
1994 cohort	33.9%
1995 cohort	38.3%
1996 cohort	36.4%
1997 cohort	46.3%
1998 cohort	40%
1999 cohort	44%
2000 cohort	40%
2001 cohort	40.6%
2002 cohort	38.5%
2003 cohort	34.8%
2004 cohort	38%
2005 cohort	41.5%
2006 cohort	42.9%
2007 cohort	42.1%
2008 cohort	38.6%
2009 cohort	43.2%
2010 cohort	42.4%
2011 cohort	40.7%
2012 cohort	40%
2013 cohort	39.1%
2014 cohort	41.1%
2015 cohort	42.9%
2016 cohort	42.4%
2017 cohort	40.1%
2018 cohort	39.9%

IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups

key chart

Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
Year	Completed	Left without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)	$12,486	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)	$12,398	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)	$13,800	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)	$15,523	$6,125
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)	$14,870	$6,625
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)	$14,375	$6,125
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)	$16,000	$6,000
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)	$17,125	$6,562
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)	$17,125	$6,250
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)	$17,187	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)	$18,361	$5,063
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)	$19,125	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)	$19,662	$5,938
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)	$21,127	$5,765
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)	$23,000	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)	$23,863	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)	$25,000	$6,250
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)	$26,098	$7,000
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)	$25,989	$8,250
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)	$25,974	$9,416
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)	$26,000	$8,750
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)	$25,250	$8,250
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)	$24,825	$7,589
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)	$24,275	$7,500

NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15

$39,689

6 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13

$43,669

8 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11

$45,603

10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

University of South Carolina Aiken admitted 2,360 of 3,005 applicants in Fall 2024. The 78.5% rate describes that application pool.

78.5%

acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle

rate trend $10,760 in-state tuition · 2023–24 2,962 undergraduates · Fall 2024

Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024

400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 980–12201600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

In the Fall 2024 cycle, University of South Carolina Aiken received 3,005 applications and admitted 2,360 (78.5%), with 666 enrolling.

University of South Carolina Aiken reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For University of South Carolina Aiken’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 510–620 and Math was 470–600 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 980–1220 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score	25th	50th	75th
SAT Reading & Writing	510	580	620
SAT Math	470	540	600
ACT Composite	19	22	26

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

Acceptance rate

78.5%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

Acceptance rate — data
Year	Acceptance rate
Fall 2001	57.7%
Fall 2002	57.7%
Fall 2003	65.4%
Fall 2004	65.4%
Fall 2005	64.6%
Fall 2006	60.1%
Fall 2007	55.2%
Fall 2008	51.9%
Fall 2009	53%
Fall 2010	51.2%
Fall 2011	50.3%
Fall 2012	51%
Fall 2013	51.2%
Fall 2014	65.5%
Fall 2015	57.2%
Fall 2016	66.9%
Fall 2017	52.9%
Fall 2018	50.9%
Fall 2019	55.8%
Fall 2020	55.9%
Fall 2021	83.5%
Fall 2022	75.6%
Fall 2023	79.7%
Fall 2024	78.5%

IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

980–1220Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	860	1080
Fall 2002	860	1080
Fall 2003	890	1110
Fall 2004	880	1100
Fall 2005	890	1090
Fall 2006	890	1100
Fall 2007	900	1100
Fall 2008	900	1120
Fall 2009	890	1090
Fall 2010	880	1090
Fall 2011	890	1110
Fall 2012	880	1090
Fall 2013	870	1080
Fall 2014	860	1080
Fall 2015	880	1080
Fall 2016	870	1060
Fall 2017	920	1120
Fall 2018	950	1140
Fall 2019	960	1140
Fall 2020	970	1150
Fall 2021	960	1170
Fall 2022	950	1180
Fall 2023	970	1200
Fall 2024	980	1220

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

19–26Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

ACT middle 50% — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	17	22
Fall 2002	17	22
Fall 2003	16	22
Fall 2004	17	22
Fall 2005	17	22
Fall 2006	18	22
Fall 2007	18	22
Fall 2008	18	23
Fall 2009	18	23
Fall 2010	18	23
Fall 2011	18	23
Fall 2012	18	23
Fall 2013	18	23
Fall 2014	18	23
Fall 2015	18	23
Fall 2016	18	24
Fall 2017	18	23
Fall 2018	17	22
Fall 2019	17	23
Fall 2020	18	23
Fall 2021	16	23
Fall 2022	18	24
Fall 2023	17	23
Fall 2024	19	26

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

2,962Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

Undergraduate enrollment at University of South Carolina Aiken has held near 2,962 from Fall 2002 to Fall 2024.

Undergraduate enrollment — data
Year	Undergraduates
Fall 2002	2,994
Fall 2003	2,994
Fall 2004	3,015
Fall 2005	2,851
Fall 2006	2,910
Fall 2007	2,867
Fall 2008	2,813
Fall 2009	2,919
Fall 2010	2,948
Fall 2011	2,955
Fall 2012	2,877
Fall 2013	2,956
Fall 2014	3,023
Fall 2015	3,060
Fall 2016	3,122
Fall 2017	3,029
Fall 2018	3,019
Fall 2019	2,960
Fall 2020	2,975
Fall 2021	2,813
Fall 2022	2,817
Fall 2023	2,805
Fall 2024	2,962

IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

67%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

First-year retention at University of South Carolina Aiken has wandered from Fall 2002 to Fall 2023 — up to 73% at the peak — but ends near where it began, at 67%.

First-year retention — data
Year	Retention
Fall 2002 cohort	68%
Fall 2003 cohort	64%
Fall 2004 cohort	60%
Fall 2005 cohort	67%
Fall 2006 cohort	68%
Fall 2007 cohort	69%
Fall 2008 cohort	69%
Fall 2009 cohort	73%
Fall 2010 cohort	70%
Fall 2011 cohort	67%
Fall 2012 cohort	66%
Fall 2013 cohort	66%
Fall 2014 cohort	71%
Fall 2015 cohort	67%
Fall 2016 cohort	68%
Fall 2017 cohort	64%
Fall 2018 cohort	65%
Fall 2019 cohort	66%
Fall 2020 cohort	59%
Fall 2021 cohort	60%
Fall 2022 cohort	64%
Fall 2023 cohort	67%

IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2002–2023

More about University of South Carolina Aiken

39.2% of University of South Carolina Aiken's undergraduates carry Pell grants — the standard federal marker of lower-income enrollment. Carnegie classes University of South Carolina Aiken as a primarily residential campus of 2,962 undergraduates — and 66.8% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

University of South Carolina Aiken's SAT section-percentile sums are 980–1220 — their midpoint is below the SC four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on University of South Carolina Aiken's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”

key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How University of South Carolina Aiken compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

University of South Carolina Aiken78.5%

South Carolina median72.5%

National median76.8%

Tuition (in-state)

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

University of South Carolina Aiken$10,760

South Carolina median$17,440

National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

University of South Carolina Aiken's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

University of South Carolina Aiken$45,603

South Carolina median$44,354

National median$53,781

View comparison data & dates

University of South Carolina Aiken, South Carolina and national reference values
Metric & basis	University of South Carolina Aiken	South Carolina median	National median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS	78.5%	72.5%	76.8%
Tuition (in-state)Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid	$10,760	$17,440	$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot	$45,603	$44,354	$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For University of South Carolina Aiken, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

University of South Carolina Aiken federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 10 fields & earnings

Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)	Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing	$78,231
Business Administration, Management and Operations	$58,908
Communication and Media Studies	$58,203
Sociology	$49,530
Biology, General	$45,363
Psychology, General	$45,163
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods	$43,728
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness	$43,178
English Language and Literature, General	$38,980
Fine and Studio Arts	$31,931

These 10 fields listed for University of South Carolina Aiken measure earnings after completion. The $45,603 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 15 additional University of South Carolina Aiken fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does University of South Carolina Aiken report?

University of South Carolina Aiken's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 980–1220 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is University of South Carolina Aiken's acceptance rate?

78.5% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 2,360 admitted from 3,005 applicants.

How much does University of South Carolina Aiken cost?

In-state tuition is $10,760; out-of-state students pay $21,218. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.

What earnings data does University of South Carolina Aiken report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $45,603. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

Similar colleges in South Carolina

University of South Carolina Beaufort — 72.5% admitted
University of South Carolina-Columbia — 60.2% admitted
University of South Carolina-Lancaster — 83.4% admitted
University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie — 76% admitted

Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.