About

About South Carolina State University

hbcumasters programssmall class sizestest optionalbusiness and pre med

South Carolina State University is a public university in Orangeburg, SC, known for its hbcu, masters programs, and small class sizes. With an acceptance rate of 84%, SCSU is accessible for most qualified applicants, typically enrolling around 902 students each year. SCSU is test optional; students who submit scores are typically admitted with SATs between 770–985, though many competitive applicants choose not to submit. SCSU offers merit scholarships regardless of financial need, with awards averaging $12,334 per year; the sticker price of $40,750 may look very different from what your family actually pays.

Admissions

South Carolina State University acceptance rate and admitted student profile

accessible for most qualified applicants

84%
Overall Accept Rate
3.00
Typical Admitted GPA
878
Median Admitted SAT
SATSubmitted score range: 770 – 985 (test optional)

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Application Strategy

Strategy tips for applying to South Carolina State University

The first 2 tips apply to all applicants. Your personalized strategy requires your profile — build your free list to unlock it.

Essay Strategy
South Carolina State places moderate weight on essays, so use yours to tell a story that connects your personal background to why an HBCU environment specifically supports your goals. Generic statements about wanting a diverse campus will not stand out here.
Test Score Strategy
SC State is test optional, so if your scores fall below their middle range, leave them off your application and let your GPA, coursework, and essay carry your file instead.

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Financial Aid & Cost

What South Carolina State University actually costs your family

Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.

Family IncomeSticker PriceEst. Net Cost / yr
0-30k~$41k/yr$16.8k
30k-48k~$41k/yr$17.0k
48k-75k~$41k/yr$20.4k
75k-110k~$41k/yr$22.6k
110k+~$41k/yr$24.5k

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Outcomes & Campus

Student outcomes and campus profile

29%
6-Year Graduation Rate
$30k
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
14:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
1,923
Undergrad Enrollment
South Carolina State University Acceptance Rate & Admissions | SpearMatch