- USC Salkehatchie plays an important role in helping the University fulfill its priority of providing students with an educational experience of the highest quality, grounded in the traditional liberal arts. USC Salkehatchie acts as a resource to its five-county area by serving as a focal point for the cultural and intellectual development of the area through providing various cultural, intellectual, economic, and education programs. Its academic, community development, cultural, public service, and recreational programs and services reflect USC Salkehatchie's purpose to enhance and enrich the communities of its service area and to improve the quality of life of its citizens.
School Highlights
University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie serves 1,040 students (30% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 13:1 is lower than the state community college average of 18:1.
Minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the state average of 48%.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Enrollment: 1,040 students
- In-state tuition: $6,686
- Out-state tuition: $16,130
- Acceptance Rate: 72%
- Student:teacher ratio: 13:1
- Minority enrollment: 49%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Top Rankings
University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie ranks among the top 20% of public schools in South Carolina for:
School Overview
The teacher population of 80 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie
(SC) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges: High Transfer-Mixed Traditional/Nontraditional
Associate's Colleges: High Vocational & Technical-High Traditional
Institution Level
Less than 2 yrs
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
80 staff
177 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie has grown by 7% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 13:1 has increased from 11:1 over five years.
The University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie diversity score of 0.68 is more than the state average of 0.63. The school's diversity has grown by 8% over five years.
Total Enrollment
1,040 students
2,253 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
18:1
# Full-Time Students
313 students
622 students
# Part-Time Students
727 students
1,349 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
104 students
279 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
313 students
605 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
8 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
n/a
1,965 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
32 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
260 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
2%
% Hispanic
5%
9%
% Black
24%
29%
% White
51%
52%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
4%
% Non Resident races
2%
n/a
% Unknown races
12%
4%
Diversity Score
0.68
0.63
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
0.2361%
0.2579%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
0.172%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$28,000
$28,800
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $6,686 is more than the state average of $5,692. The in-state tuition has declined by 11% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $16,130 is more than the state average of $10,568. The out-state tuition has declined by 11% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$6,686
$5,692
Out-State Tuition Fees
$16,130
$10,568
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
92%
93%
Median Debt for Graduates
$10,000
$11,729
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,500
$5,500
Acceptance Rate
72%
88%
SAT Total Avg.
820
888
SAT Reading
410
430
SAT Math
410
458
SAT Writing
n/a
413
ACT Total Avg.
50
53
ACT Composite
17
18
ACT English
17
17
ACT Math
16
18
ACT Writing
n/a
6
Source: 2024 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
School Notes
- USC Salkehatchie was established in 1965 as a regional center of the University of South Carolina as a result of local civic commitment initiated by residents from Allendale, Bamberg, and Hampton counties who organized a movement to create a regional campus in 1964. The General Assembly of South Carolina responded to this momentum by creating the Western Carolina Higher Education Commission, which is composed of two representatives from each of the participating counties. Barnwell County joined the compact three years later, followed by Colleton County in 1984. The expansion of facilities began in June 1972 when the Allendale Hut Complex, was deeded to the campus by Allendale County. USC Salkehatchie now owns homes and other buildings adjacent to the original building that now house faculty offices and the Extended Graduate Campus program. To provide for future expansion, the campus commission purchased 65 acres of adjoining land in February 1975. A master plan has been developed for future expansion of the campus. The Science/Administration Building is located on the 65-acre tract and has been available for classes since the fall 1981 semester. In 1983 the campus added the Salkehatchie Civic Arts Center. The most recent addition was a 29,500 square-foot Library/Computer Science Building, which opened for use in fall 1991, located next to the Science/Administration Building in the central part of campus. Also in 1991, the Sarah T. Winthrop Foundation donated an additional 94 acres adjacent to the original location, bringing the current holdings to over 150 acres. The Salkehatchie Regional Campus of the University of South Carolina offers the Associate in Arts degree and the Associate in Science degree as well as coursework applicable to a baccalaureate degree awarded by other institutions. The growth of USC Salkehatchie can also been seen in the expansion of its curricula. New areas of study have been added over the years, including applied professions, education, criminal justice, geography, music, physical education, and computer science.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie cost?
University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie's tuition is approximately $6,686 for In-State students and $16,130 for Out-State students.
What is the acceptance rate of University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie?
The acceptance rate of University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie is 72%, which is lower than the state average of 88%. University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie's acceptance rate is ranked among the top community colleges in South Carolina with low acceptance rates.
What is University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie's ranking?
University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie ranks among the top 20% of community college in South Carolina for: Lowest acceptance rates and Diversity in US community colleges.
Recent Articles
Retrain For A New Career In Weeks? Yes!
In as little as three weeks, you could be retrained for a new job through community colleges. Learn about the retraining programs available and how quickly you can gain new skills.
Why Low-Income Community College Students Achieve Success at Universities
Overcoming the odds, low-income community college students are poised to become top performers once they transfer to a four-year university. Learn about the new study that has identified the successful qualities of low-income community college students.
Why Accreditation Matters: Securing Your Educational Investment and Future Career
Accreditation is crucial for college selection, affecting financial aid eligibility, credit transferability, and future employment prospects. This article explains the importance of choosing an accredited institution and provides resources for verifying a school's accreditation status.
