Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Orangeburg, South Carolina |
| Online | scsu.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Distant Town |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus 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.
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Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
South Carolina State University is rated within the lower 17% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 2 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for South Carolina State University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#1011 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#426 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#25 in Best Colleges in South Carolina
#12 in Best Public Colleges in South Carolina
#44 in Best Value Colleges in South Carolina
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 800/1050 |
| ACT | 15/19 |
| GPA | 3.17 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jul 31, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $25 |
Annual Cost to Attend
South Carolina Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $2,000 |
| Other Fees | $1,532 |
| Room and Board | $9,000 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $8,000 |
| Total One Year Cost | $30,060 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $2,000 |
| Other Fees | $1,532 |
| Room and Board | $9,000 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $8,000 |
| Total One Year Cost | $40,750 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 18% |
| Work and Family Studies | 11% |
| Education | 10% |
| Biology | 9% |
| Health Professions | 9% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering South Carolina State University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=218733 IPEDS survey data for South Carolina State University.
Current students may use the South Carolina State University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025