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South Carolina State University

#244 in US ranking Orangeburg, SC
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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South Carolina State University award
South Carolina State University award

Cost

Cost / year
$29,846
Tuition & fees
$11,060
Avg. aid
$12,189
Receiving aid
96%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
83%
Avg. SAT
925
Avg. ACT
17

Outcomes

Graduation rate
37%
Median salary
$35,260
1 yr after graduation

What does South Carolina State University offer in terms of athletics?

The South Carolina State Bulldogs compete in NCAA Division I as members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, or MEAC. Football competes at the Football Championship Subdivision level.

Varsity opportunities include sports such as football, basketball, track and field, cross-country, tennis, volleyball, and softball. Varsity participation involves team selection and conference competition; it should not be confused with casual recreation. Students who want to play without joining a varsity team should check current intramural, club, and fitness offerings rather than assume every sport appears at every participation level.

Home football games are also campus events for students who do not compete. Prospective athletes should discuss recruiting, eligibility, and any potential aid directly with the relevant team staff; admission to the university alone does not confer a roster place or athletic scholarship.

What student groups and Associations are available at South Carolina State University?

South Carolina State students can participate in organizations spanning service, professional interests, culture, Greek life, and the performing arts. Student government and campus media provide additional ways to organize events or take part in campus discussions.

Reported examples of student groups include 101 Black Men, DOLLS, the National Council of Negro Women, Alpha Kappa Alpha, and Omega Psi Phi. Membership and active recognition should be checked through the current student-activities directory, particularly for organizations with application, intake, or eligibility rules. These groups are distinct from university-operated services such as counseling or the career center.

Who studies at South Carolina State University?

South Carolina State enrolled about 3,242 students in the reported institutional count. It is a historically Black university with a predominantly Black student population, while students of other racial and ethnic backgrounds also attend.

Reported figures identify 2,797 Black or African American students. Among students in the geographic-origin measure, roughly 70% were South Carolina residents and 30% came from other U.S. states. The university also enrolled 1,042 first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates and 125 transfer-in students in the cited reporting period.

The age distribution is concentrated among traditional college-age students, particularly those ages 18 to 24, but older students are enrolled as well. These counts describe who attended during particular reporting periods; they should not be used to presume any individual student's background, interests, or campus experience.

How does student life look like at South Carolina State University?

Everyday student life at South Carolina State combines a residential campus with classes, student-led activities, performances, and support services. Reported housing data indicate that most students live on campus, while a smaller share commute.

The university reports a student-run newspaper and radio station, a drama group, choral groups, and a marching band. It also reports a health clinic and personal or psychological counseling. For a new student, these offer different entry points into campus life: attending an event requires less commitment than joining a performing group, while health and counseling services address needs outside the classroom.

Students comparing campuses should consider the practical fit of Orangeburg's setting, the availability of activities outside class hours, and the support they may need during their first year. A commuter's routine may differ substantially from that of a student living in a residence hall.

What libraries are available to students at South Carolina State University?

Miller F. Whittaker Library is South Carolina State's main campus library. It provides a place for study and access to academic materials beyond what students encounter in their course readings.

Reported amenities include reservable study rooms and study areas with extended overnight access. Hours can vary by space and academic calendar, so students should check the library's current schedule rather than assume the entire building is always open. For research assignments, the most useful services to investigate are librarian assistance, subject databases, online journals, and borrowing arrangements for materials the library does not hold locally. Remote-access rules may matter to commuters and students working off campus.

South Carolina State University Student Life for 2027

Total enrollment

3242

Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen

964

Member of Athletic Associations

NCAA

Total staff

133 full time, 86 part time

Veterans affair office

Yes

South Carolina State University Student Body

Undergraduate vs. graduate students

Undergraduate: 2,950
Graduate: 292

Full-time vs. part-time students

Full-time: 2,878
Part-time: 364

Full-time degree-seeking students by gender

Women: 524
Men: 440

Students by race/ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino: 10
Black or African American: 2,797
White: 43
American Indian or Alaska Native: 6
Asian: 12
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 1
Two or more races: 147
Unknown: 26

Freshly enrolled students' age

Under 25 years
Over 25 years

South Carolina State University Sports & Athletics

  • Member of NCAA

Varsity teams compete against other colleges, intramural teams within the school. Each column says whether men, women or both take part, and whether the sport offers athletic scholarships (Aid).

Sport

Varsity Intramural Aid

Basketball

BothBothMen

Cross-country running

Both–Men

Football

Men–Men

Soccer

Women–Women

Softball

Women––

Tennis

Both–Men

Track and field

Both–Men

Volleyball

Women––

Data last updated on November 2, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.