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University of South Carolina-Sumter

Public Associate Good 62/100

University of South Carolina-Sumter

See admissions data, costs, student outcomes, and academic programs, all verified from official US government sources.

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Sumter, South Carolina

About University of South Carolina-Sumter

University of South Carolina-Sumter is a public institution offering associate degrees based in Sumter, South Carolina. It enrolls 716 students (a small, tight-knit student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.

Official website: sc.edu

Acceptance: 74.1%
Graduation: 13.1%
Net Price: $7,712
Median Earnings (10yr): $42,437
Enrollment: 716
Student : Faculty: 18:1

Accreditor Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Academic Calendar Semester

How It Measures Up

US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (2-Year). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.

Good

62/100

UCD Score · 2-Year

Outcomes 31

Value 72

Affordability 38

Selectivity —

Admissions & Acceptance Rate

With an acceptance rate of 74.1%, University of South Carolina-Sumter is moderately selective.

Acceptance Rate

74.1%

Moderate

SAT Range (25th–75th)

—

Not reported

ACT Range (25th–75th)

—

Not reported

Test Policy Test Optional Applicants choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores.

5-Year Admission Trend

Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether University of South Carolina-Sumter is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.

Getting more selective ↓ 5.8 pts since 2019

Cost & Financial Aid

The real cost of attending University of South Carolina-Sumter isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $7,712 per year. That's well below the typical net price for public colleges nationally.

Average Net Price

$7,712

Per year, after typical aid

Receive Pell Grants

18%

Need-based federal aid

Receive Federal Loans

10%

Borrowing to attend

Full Cost Breakdown

Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.

Tuition & Fees (in-state): $7,558
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state): $18,238
Room & Board (off-campus): $6,708
Books & Supplies: $792
Other Expenses (off-campus): $6,080
Total Cost of Attendance: $17,964

Application fee: $40 (one-time, due at submission)

Net Price by Family Income

Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.

Under $30,000

$5,894
$30,001 – $48,000

$5,582
$48,001 – $75,000

$8,586
$75,001 – $110,000

$11,560
Over $110,000

$12,380

Debt at Graduation

Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.

$1,750

10% percentile

$3,018

25% percentile

$9,250

Median percentile

$12,500

75% percentile

$19,500

90% percentile

Median Debt by Student Type

Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.

GroupDebtvs Median

Pell recipients $5,500 ↓ $3,750

No Pell $5,500 ↓ $3,750

Dependent students $5,500 ↓ $3,750

Independent students $7,910 ↓ $1,340

Female students $5,500 ↓ $3,750

Male students $5,500 ↓ $3,750

Worth knowing: Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $5,500, less than completers ($9,250), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.

Graduation Rate & Retention

13% of full-time students who enrolled at University of South Carolina-Sumter graduate within six years, and 59% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.

6-Year Graduation Rate

13%

Of students who graduate within six years

First-Year Retention

59%

Returning for their second year

What this means: Lower than typical completion. Worth asking the school how they support students who fall behind.

After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes

According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered University of South Carolina-Sumter earn a median of $42,437 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.

Median Earnings (10 yrs)

$42,437

Earning > $25K

72%

10 yrs after entry

Earnings Growth After Graduation

Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.

Earnings by Demographic

Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.

By Gender

Female graduates

$36,000

Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.

Male graduates

$44,900

Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.

By Family Income at Entry

Family income (lowest third)

$35,700

Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.

Family income (middle third)

$42,500

Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.

Family income (highest third)

$39,900

Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.

The gender gap: Male graduates earn $8,900, about 20% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.

Loan Repayment Progression

Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.

Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑ 21.2 pts across 6 years

What this signals: Moderate. Only 57% of graduates are paying down principal seven years out.

Who Studies Here

University of South Carolina-Sumter is home to 716 students, a small, close-knit community. Some distinctive traits: 37% are first-generation college students.

Total Enrolled

716

Part-Time

21%

First-Generation

37%

Race & Ethnicity Breakdown

Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.

GroupShareStudents

White 48.6% 348

Black 25.0% 179

Hispanic 8.2% 59

International 7.3% 52

Other 6.7% 48

Asian 2.7% 19

Student Life & Campus Culture

Where students live, learn, and connect at University of South Carolina-Sumter. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.

Setting

Small City Sumter, South Carolina

Housing

Commuter campus No on-campus housing

Adult Learners

6% of students are 25 or older

Athletics

NCAA athletic-conference member

Academic Calendar

Semester scheduling structure

What You Can Study

University of South Carolina-Sumter offers a focused set of programs: 1 distinct programs across 1 major. Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings. Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.

1 Program

Liberal Arts

Liberal Arts $53K ($36K–$73K)

View all majors View all programs

Faculty & Resources

The student-to-faculty ratio at University of South Carolina-Sumter is 18:1, on the higher side.

Student : Faculty

18:1

Students per instructional faculty member

Instruction / Student

$9,569

Annual instructional spending per enrolled student

Endowment

$5.6M

Modest endowment

Avg Faculty Salary

$65,387

9-month equivalent across all ranks

Faculty by Rank

36 instructional faculty across 4 ranks. The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.

Rank	Faculty Count	Share	Avg Salary
Full Professors	10	28%	$87,959
Associate Professors	4	11%	$65,596
Assistant Professors	7	19%	$61,338
Instructors	15	42%	$52,172

Pros & Cons of University of South Carolina-Sumter

A quick at-a-glance summary of how University of South Carolina-Sumter tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.

PROS

Very affordable net price after aid
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Tight-knit, close community feel
Low typical debt at graduation

CONS

Class sizes are on the higher side
Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
Low completion rate, many students don't graduate within six years
First-year retention is below typical
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families

Best for: Based on the data, University of South Carolina-Sumter is a fit for students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier; families focused on keeping net cost low; students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.

Frequently Asked Questions about University of South Carolina-Sumter

Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about University of South Carolina-Sumter.

Is University of South Carolina-Sumter hard to get into?

Admissions at University of South Carolina-Sumter are moderately competitive. The acceptance rate is 74.1%, so most applicants who meet the academic minimums are admitted.

What is the acceptance rate at University of South Carolina-Sumter?

University of South Carolina-Sumter has an acceptance rate of 74.1%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.

How much does University of South Carolina-Sumter cost?

The average net price after aid at University of South Carolina-Sumter is $7,712 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.

Is University of South Carolina-Sumter worth it?

Strong return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $42,437 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $7,712 per year. That's roughly 5.5x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.

What is University of South Carolina-Sumter known for?

University of South Carolina-Sumter is best known for its programs in Liberal Arts. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.

What do University of South Carolina-Sumter graduates earn?

Median earnings 10 years after entering University of South Carolina-Sumter are $42,437, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.

Is University of South Carolina-Sumter accredited?

Yes. University of South Carolina-Sumter is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

How many students attend University of South Carolina-Sumter?

University of South Carolina-Sumter enrolls 716 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.

What is the graduation rate at University of South Carolina-Sumter?

University of South Carolina-Sumter graduates 13% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.

Is University of South Carolina-Sumter a public or private college?

University of South Carolina-Sumter is a Public institution.

Where is University of South Carolina-Sumter located?

University of South Carolina-Sumter is located in Sumter, South Carolina.

What programs does University of South Carolina-Sumter offer?

University of South Carolina-Sumter offers 1 distinct programs. The most popular include Liberal Arts.

What is the student-to-faculty ratio at University of South Carolina-Sumter?

The student-to-faculty ratio at University of South Carolina-Sumter is 18:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.