South University, Columbia

9 Science Court
Columbia, SC 29203

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Top Ranked (2023): View Rankings

Tel: (803) 799-9082

www.southuniversity.edu

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South University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, master's, and doctorate degrees. Questions about the accreditation of South University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC's website (www.sacscoc.org).

School Highlights

South University, Columbia serves 797 students (66% of students are full-time).

The college's student:teacher ratio of 7:1 is lower than the state community college average of 12:1.

Minority enrollment is 76% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the state average of 38%.

Quick Stats (2023)

Enrollment: 797 students
Acceptance Rate: 49%
Student:teacher ratio: 7:1
Minority enrollment: 76%
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Top Rankings

South University, Columbia ranks among the top 20% of public schools in South Carolina for:

School Overview

The teacher population of 109 teachers has grown by 81% over five years.

South University, Columbia

(SC) Community College Avg.

Carnegie Classification

Master's Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs

Associates Colleges

Institution Level

Less than 2 yrs

At least 2 but less than 4 years

Institution Control

Public

Total Faculty

109 staff

142 staff

This chart display total faculty of South University, Columbia and community college average number of faculty in SC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

School Calendar

Link to School Calendar

Student Body

The student population of South University, Columbia has declined by 29% over five years.

The student:teacher ratio of 7:1 has stayed the same over five years.

The South University, Columbia diversity score of 0.50 is less than the state average of 0.55. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.

Total Enrollment

797 students

1,813 students

This chart display the total enrollment of South University, Columbia and community college average number of enrollment of SC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Student : Teacher Ratio

7:1

12:1

This chart display the student staff ratio of South University, Columbia and community college average student staff ratio of SC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

# Full-Time Students

524 students

646 students

This chart display the total number of Full-time students enrollment of South University, Columbia and average number of community college Full-time students enrollment of SC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

# Part-Time Students

273 students

1,167 students

This chart display the total number of Part-time students enrollment of South University, Columbia and average number of community college Part-time students enrollment of SC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

This chart display the Full-time students and Part-time students enrollment breakdown of South University, Columbia.

This chart display community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of SC.

# Enrollment Undergraduate

100 students

359 students

# Full-Time Undergraduate Students

383 students

646 students

This chart display the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of South University, Columbia and average number of community college Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of SC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

# Full-Time Graduate Students

141 students

5 students

This chart display the total number of Full-time graduate students enrollment of South University, Columbia and average number of community college Full-time graduate students enrollment of SC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

This chart display graduation rate breakdown of South University, Columbia

# Part-Time Undergraduate Students

n/a

1,317 students

# Part-Time Graduate Students

n/a

2 students

Total Dormitory Capacity

n/a

260 students

% American Indian/Alaskan

n/a

% Asian

% Hispanic

% Black

66%

24%

This chart display the percentage of Black students in South University, Columbia and the percentage of Black community college students in SC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

% White

24%

62%

This chart display the percentage of White students in South University, Columbia and the percentage of White community college students in SC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

n/a

% Unknown races

This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in South University, Columbia.

This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in SC.

Diversity Score

0.50

0.55

This chart display the diversity score of South University, Columbia and the community college average diversity score of SC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)

n/a

24%

College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)

0.19%

2.47%

Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)

$34,100

$28,800

This chart display average graduate earnings (10 Years) of South University, Columbia and community college average graduate earnings (10 Years) of SC by year, disaggregated by student subgroups with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid

94%

95%

This chart display the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in South University, Columbia and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in SC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Median Debt for Graduates

$25,379

$11,729

This chart display median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in South University, Columbia and average median debt for community college students who have completed a certificate or degree in SC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Median Debt for Dropouts

$9,500

$5,500

This chart display median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in South University, Columbia and average median debt for community college students who have not completed a certificate or degree in SC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Acceptance Rate

49%

71%

This chart display the percent admitted of South University, Columbia and the community college average percent admitted of SC by year, with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

SAT Reading

n/a

430

SAT Math

n/a

458

SAT Writing

n/a

413

ACT Composite

n/a

ACT English

n/a

ACT Math

n/a

ACT Writing

n/a

Source: 2021 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators

School Notes

The University traces its heritage to 1899, when Dr. John Draughon established Draughon's Practical Business College in Savannah, GA. Since its humble beginnings, South University has experienced continued growth transforming from a two-year college into a four-year, SACS-accredited University offering associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctorate degree programs with campus locations in Savannah, GA, Columbia, SC, Montgomery, AL, Tampa, FL and West Palm Beach, FL. Today, South University continues to build on its more than a century of academic excellence by continuing to be a recognized innovator in higher education. With the introduction of South University Online, students can pursue both undergraduate degree and master's degree programs ranging from Criminal Justice to an MBA. South University offers a wide range of educational programs at the associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. Programs are offered in Accounting, Allied Health Science, Master of Medical Science in Anesthesia Science, Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Graphic Design, Health Science, Healthcare Management, Information Technology, Legal Studies, Medical Assisting, Nursing, Paralegal Studies, Pharmacy, Physical Therapist Assisting, Physician Assistant. South University's Columbia campus is nestled in the historic district of Eau Claire, just minutes north of downtown and South Carolina's state capitol building. South University's Columbia campus provides classroom and student service areas and is equipped with computer labs and medical laboratories for use by students. The library houses a large collection that includes an extensive law library. Students may retrieve periodicals in paper or electronic form. Students may also access several commercial on-line services including WESTLAW, the computerized legal research service; LIRN; SearchBank; Infotract; and UMI ProQuest, and the Electronic Library. Internet access is available on all computers throughout the campus. South University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) as a Level V institution eligible to award associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate of South University, Columbia?

The acceptance rate of South University, Columbia is 49%, which is lower than the state average of 71%.

What is South University, Columbia's ranking?

South University, Columbia ranks among the top 20% of community college in South Carolina for: Average community college minority breakdown and Highest graduate earnings (10 years post graduation).

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Quick Stats (2023)

Enrollment: 797 students
Acceptance Rate: 49%
Student:teacher ratio: 7:1
Minority enrollment: 76%
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Did You Know?

For South Carolina public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $5,692 per year for in-state students and $10,568 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $10,258 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

The average community college acceptance rate in South Carolina is 78%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

South Carolina community colleges have a diversity score of 0.55, which is lower than the national average of 0.70. The most diverse community college in South Carolina is University of South Carolina-Sumter. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.