University of South Carolina Aiken Acceptance Rate &
University of South Carolina Aiken is a public research university in Aiken, South Carolina, serving roughly 2,962 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 78.54% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $45,603 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $10,760
- 2024 Average Net Price: $11,641 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 78.54% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 2,962 86.8% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 39.85%
- Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus
- First-Generation Students: 32.7%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 0.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 1.2% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 61.0%
- Average SAT Score: 1120
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,767
- Applicants (IPEDS): 2,905
- Room & Board: $9,182 annual estimate
University of South Carolina Aiken: what the data shows
Common questions about University of South Carolina Aiken, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is University of South Carolina Aiken?
University of South Carolina Aiken is located in Aiken, SC (ZIP 29801).
NCES locale classification: Rural fringe.
Is University of South Carolina Aiken public or private?
University of South Carolina Aiken is a Public institution.
How much does University of South Carolina Aiken cost?
Published tuition: $10,760 in-state, $21,218 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $11,641.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $8,987 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $8,435 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $11,440 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $16,046 |
| $110,001+ | $17,502 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $43,040.
How hard is it to get into University of South Carolina Aiken?
Admission rate: 78.54%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1120 and midpoint ACT 20.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is University of South Carolina Aiken?
Total enrollment: 2,962 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 3,767 students.
Graduate enrollment: 733 students.
About 87% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at University of South Carolina Aiken?
150%-time completion rate: 39.85%.
First-year retention: 66.8%.
What do graduates of University of South Carolina Aiken earn?
Median earnings: $39,689 six years after entry; $45,603 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $24,275.
39.24% of students receive Pell grants.
What is University of South Carolina Aiken known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Business Administration and Management, General (342 completions)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (114 completions)
- Psychology, General (49 completions)
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology (44 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (39 completions)
- Computer Science (38 completions)
- Speech Communication and Rhetoric (37 completions)
- Sociology, General (18 completions)
- Elementary Education and Teaching (17 completions)
- Early Childhood Education & Teaching (16 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is University of South Carolina Aiken a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 78.54%; completion rate 39.85%; median earnings $45,603 at 10 years; net price $11,641. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$10,760
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at University of South Carolina Aiken was $10,760.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$11,641
2024 Value
In 2024 University of South Carolina Aiken had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $11,641.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$46,564 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$11,641 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$43,040 4-Year In-State Tuition
$84,872 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$9,182 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,250 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$21,192 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$84,768 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for University of South Carolina Aiken.
Financial Aid by Income Level
39.24% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
43.41% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at University of South Carolina Aiken was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for University of South Carolina Aiken in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $9,308 | $18,340 | $11,363 |
| 2014 | $9,602 | $18,926 | $13,391 |
| 2015 | $9,878 | $19,472 | $13,538 |
| 2016 | $10,196 | $20,102 | $14,589 |
| 2017 | $10,502 | $20,702 | $14,927 |
| 2018 | $10,760 | $21,218 | $14,969 |
| 2019 | $10,760 | $21,218 | $15,050 |
| 2020 | $10,760 | $21,218 | $12,387 |
| 2021 | $10,760 | $21,218 | $12,309 |
| 2022 | $10,760 | $21,218 | $11,476 |
| 2023 | $10,760 | $21,218 | $11,611 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
78.54% Acceptance Rate
2,905 Total Applicants
2,316 Students Admitted
616 First-Time Students Enrolled
26.60% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1120
ACT Average: 20
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
University of South Carolina Aiken reported total enrollment of about 2,962 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 39% male and 61% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (57.1%), Black or African American (22.4%), and Hispanic or Latino (9.7%). About 39.24% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 32.7% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
86.8% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at University of South Carolina Aiken in 2024 is 2,962 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 3,767 students. Graduate enrollment is about 733 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
66.8%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 57.1%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
23.25% 100% Completion Time
39.85% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 23.25% of students graduating from University of South Carolina Aiken completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Administration and Management, General: 52% male / 48% female
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 15% male / 85% female
- Psychology, General: 12% male / 88% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for University of South Carolina Aiken.
Return on Investment
$24,275 Median Student Debt
$45,603 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
53.23% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
879.36% Return on Investment
5.3 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for University of South Carolina Aiken.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 33 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Business Administration and Management, General: 342 completions
2. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 114 completions
3. Psychology, General: 49 completions
4. Exercise Science and Kinesiology: 44 completions
5. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 39 completions
6. Computer Science: 38 completions
7. Speech Communication and Rhetoric: 37 completions
8. Sociology, General: 18 completions
9. Elementary Education and Teaching: 17 completions
Most popular programs at University of South Carolina Aiken.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for University of South Carolina Aiken graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for University of South Carolina Aiken from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 61.0%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $8,537
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $10,925
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
University of South Carolina Aiken is a public institution located in Aiken, SC, classified as Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Business Administration and Management, General, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Psychology, General. Enrollment is approximately 2,962 students. Student body composition includes White (57.1%), Black or African American (22.4%), Hispanic or Latino (9.7%). The admission rate is 78.54%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1120. The 150%-time completion rate is 39.85%. Approximately 39.24% of students receive Pell Grants. About 32.7% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus
Location
Aiken, SC 29801
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Graduation Rate Considerations: The 39.85% graduation rate at University of South Carolina Aiken falls below the national average. Prospective students should carefully consider factors such as academic preparation, support services, and career outcomes when evaluating this institution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is University of South Carolina Aiken located?
University of South Carolina Aiken is located in Aiken, SC.
What is University of South Carolina Aiken's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at University of South Carolina Aiken is 78.5% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 2,905 applicants and 2,316 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does University of South Carolina Aiken cost?
Reported tuition is $10,760 and average net price is $11,641 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $9,182 annually.
What is the student body demographics at University of South Carolina Aiken?
University of South Carolina Aiken reports undergraduate enrollment of about 3,767 students, White (57.1%), Black or African American (22.4%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend University of South Carolina Aiken?
About 32.7% of students at University of South Carolina Aiken are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for University of South Carolina Aiken?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, University of South Carolina Aiken reports midpoint SAT about 1120 and midpoint ACT about 20.
What do graduates of University of South Carolina Aiken earn?
Median earnings are $39,689 six years after entry and $45,603 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at University of South Carolina Aiken?
The 150%-time completion rate is 39.9% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do University of South Carolina Aiken students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $24,275.
Is University of South Carolina Aiken public or private?
University of South Carolina Aiken is a public institution located in Aiken, SC.
Is University of South Carolina Aiken an HBCU?
No. University of South Carolina Aiken is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is University of South Carolina Aiken a tribal college?
No. University of South Carolina Aiken is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- South Carolina college costs
- South Carolina colleges by ROI
- Southeast regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in South Carolina
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.