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University of South Carolina Aiken
University of South Carolina Aiken says yes to 78.5% of applicants. Focus less on getting in and more on what's below — starting with the $45,603 median earnings.
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University of South Carolina Aiken occupies suburban Aiken, SC — a public campus quieter than a downtown one, closer to one than a rural seat.
Its highest-earning path is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, where graduates median $78,231 four years out. 39.2% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 2,962 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 66.8% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 970 and 1200 — below the SC middle for four-year schools. 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.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, University of South Carolina Aiken received 2,905 applications and admitted 2,316 (79.7%), with 616 enrolling.
Scores help here but aren't the gate. If your SAT sits inside the 970–1200 submitter range, sending it likely helps; below it, University of South Carolina Aiken's own policy says you can leave it out.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 490 | 540 | 620 |
| SAT Math | 480 | 530 | 580 |
| ACT Composite | 17 | 20 | 23 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
How University of South Carolina Aiken compares
| University of South Carolina Aiken | South Carolina median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 78.5% | 72.5% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $10,760 | $17,440 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $45,603 | $44,354 | $53,781 |
Earnings data favors University of South Carolina Aiken: $45,603 median at year ten, versus $44,354 across South Carolina institutions.
Cost, size & completion
In-state students pay $10,760 in tuition; crossing a state border raises that to $21,218. For non-residents, University of South Carolina Aiken's $21,218 is the number to weigh against private options before assuming public means cheaper.
At 2,962 undergrads, University of South Carolina Aiken is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.
Fewer than half of University of South Carolina Aiken students — 39.9% — finish within six years. That number should shape how much debt feels safe.
Top majors by earnings at University of South Carolina Aiken
| Bachelor's program | 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 |
Median earnings for these 10 University of South Carolina Aiken programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $45,603 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 15 additional University of South Carolina Aiken programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for University of South Carolina Aiken?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 970–1200 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 78.5% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is University of South Carolina Aiken's acceptance rate?
79.7% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 2,316 admitted from 2,905 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 do University of South Carolina Aiken graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $45,603 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
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: 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.