South University, Columbia
Tel:
(803)799-9082
- South University is a private academic institution dedicated to providing educational opportunities for the intellectual, social, and professional development of a diverse student population. The institution offers focused curricula at the associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels.
School Highlights
- South University, Columbia serves 1,464 students (50% of students are full-time).
- The college's student:teacher ratio of 24:1 is lower than the state community college average of 28:1.
- Minority enrollment is 72% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the state average of 38%.
- South University, Columbia is one of 2 community colleges within Richland County, SC.
- The nearest community college to South University, Columbia is Centura College-Columbia (1.9 miles away).
Top Placements (South Carolina)
Listed among the top community colleges in South Carolina for:
- Category Attribute
- Diversity Diversity in US community colleges
- Student Earnings Highest graduate earnings (10 years post graduation)
School Overview
- The teacher population of 60 teachers has declined by 16% over five years.
| South University, Columbia | (SC) Community College Avg. | |
| Carnegie Classification | Baccalaureate / Associates Colleges | Baccalaureate / Associates Colleges |
| Institution Level | Less than 2 yrs | At least 2 but less than 4 years |
| Institution Control | Public | Public |
| Total Faculty | 60 staff | 55 staff |
| Total Enrollment | 1,464 students | 1,260 students |
 | ||
| Student : Teacher Ratio | 24:1 | 28:1 |
| # Full-Time Students | 726 students | 726 students |
| # Part-Time Students | 738 students | 534 students |
 |  | |
| # Undergraduate Students | 536 students | 708 students |
| # Graduate Students | 190 students | 190 students |
 |  | |
| % American Indian/Alaskan | 1% | 1% |
| % Asian | 4% | 1% |
| % Hispanic | 5% | 3% |
| % Black | 57% | 27% |
| % White | 28% | 62% |
| % Hawaiian | 1% | - |
| % Unknown races | 4% | 4% |
 |  | |
| Diversity Score | 0.59 | 0.54 |
 | ||
| Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years) | $34,100 | $28,900 |
| % Students Receiving Some Financial Aid | 78% | 94% |
| Median Debt for Graduates | $25,167 | $14,979 |
| Median Debt for Dropouts | $6,334 | $5,500 |
| Acceptance Rate | 49% | 71% |
Source: 2016 (or latest year available) IPEDS
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, Anesthesiologist Assistant, 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, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies and Professional Counseling. 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.
Nearby Schools
- The nearest community college to South University, Columbia is Centura College-Columbia (1.9 miles away).
- College Location Mi. Students
- Centura College-ColumbiaPrivate, for profit70 students | 1.90 Mi7500 Two Notch Road
Columbia, SC 29223
(803)754-7544 1.9070 - 11,424 students | 13.50 Mi1260 Lexington Drive
West Columbia, SC 29170
(803)738-8324 13.5011,424 - 878 students | 35.60 Mi200 Miller Rd
Sumter, SC 29150
(803)775-8727 35.60878 - 3,963 students | 35.70 Mi506 N Guignard Dr
Sumter, SC 29150
(803)778-1961 35.703,963 - 3,060 students | 39.00 Mi3250 Saint Matthews Rd
Orangeburg, SC 29118
(803)536-0311 39.003,060
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