- The University of South Carolina Sumter, a regional campus of the University of South Carolina, has as its mission to provide higher education and intellectual leadership for the Sumter area. At the heart of this mission is a teaching faculty of high quality dedicated to excellence in instruction, scholarship, public and professional service and creative endeavor which enrich the classroom experience. USC Sumter offers a varied curriculum rooted in the liberal arts and aimed at preparing students to continue their education in the university and throughout life. The University of South Carolina Sumter recruits students prepared to begin or planning to complete a baccalaureate level education.
School Highlights
University of South Carolina-Sumter serves 1,387 students (37% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 14:1 is higher than the state community college average of 12:1.
Minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the state average of 38%.
Quick Stats (2023-24)
- Enrollment: 1,387 students
- In-state tuition: $6,686
- Out-state tuition: $16,130
- Acceptance Rate: 72%
- Student:teacher ratio: 14:1
- Minority enrollment: 49%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Top Rankings
University of South Carolina-Sumter ranks among the top 20% of public schools in South Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Student Earnings
Debt For Students
School Overview
The teacher population of 99 teachers has grown by 175% over five years.
University of South Carolina-Sumter
(SC) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates Colleges
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
99 staff
142 staff

School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of University of South Carolina-Sumter has grown by 38% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 14:1 has stayed the same over five years.
The University of South Carolina-Sumter diversity score of 0.66 is more than the state average of 0.55. The school's diversity has grown by 12% over five years.
Total Enrollment
1,387 students
1,813 students

Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
12:1

# Full-Time Students
513 students
646 students

# Part-Time Students
874 students
1,167 students



# Enrollment Undergraduate
861 students
359 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
513 students
646 students

# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
5 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
874 students
1,317 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
2 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
260 students
% Asian
3%
2%

% Hispanic
8%
5%

% Black
27%
24%

% White
51%
62%

% Two or more races
6%
4%

% Non Resident races
3%
n/a
% Unknown races
2%
3%


Diversity Score
0.66
0.55

College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
30%
24%

College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
2.47%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$34,400
$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 stayed relatively flat 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 6% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$6,686
$5,692

Out-State Tuition Fees
$16,130
$10,568

% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
98%
95%

Median Debt for Graduates
$8,875
$11,729

Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,500
$5,500

Acceptance Rate
72%
75%

SAT Total Avg.
945
888
SAT Reading
475
430

SAT Math
470
458

SAT Writing
n/a
413
ACT Total Avg.
56
53
ACT Composite
19
18

ACT English
19
17

ACT Math
18
18

ACT Writing
n/a
6
Source: 2021 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators
School Notes
- The University of South Carolina Sumter was established to encourage higher education in Sumter and adjacent counties. It primarily serves students from Sumter, Lee, Clarendon, Williamsburg, and Kershaw counties. The institution itself grants the Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees and provides for the completion of selected bachelor degrees on campus through cooperative agreements with other institutions. As early as 1960, a dialogue was established between representatives of Sumter and Clemson University to establish a two-year branch campus. The desire for an institution of higher learning was not abated after the opening of Sumter Area Technical Center in 1962 and a partnership was struck in 1965 to establish Clemson's first academic branch in Sumter. The Sumter County Commission for Higher Education resisted this concept, but were ultimately forced to agree to the plot selected by Edwards. The site occupied 35 acres of grassy fields that once served as the Sumter Airport. The original campus designed by Charles McCreight consisted of four one-story buildings: an Administration Building, Classroom Building, Science Building and Library totaling 59,000 square feet. The Administration Building was sited on Miller Drive, considered the "front door" of the campus. The remaining buildings were located behind the Administration Building, forming a pedestrian courtyard between them. The landscape design by Robert Marvin featured many trees, mostly live oaks and bald cypress trees. The facility was formally dedicated on April 24, 1967. A full range of programs is available on the USC Sumter campus from associate degrees through a variety of graduate offerings. The bachelor's degree offerings in business administration, elementary education, early childhood education, interdisciplinary studies, and nursing meet the educational needs of most students without having to leave Sumter. A wide range of transfer programs is also available into undergraduate programs such as accounting, engineering, pharmacy, liberal arts, biology, computer science, criminal justice, media arts without loss of any credit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does University of South Carolina-Sumter cost?
University of South Carolina-Sumter'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-Sumter?
The acceptance rate of University of South Carolina-Sumter is 72%, which is lower than the state average of 75%.
What is University of South Carolina-Sumter's ranking?
University of South Carolina-Sumter ranks among the top 20% of community college in South Carolina for: Diversity in US community colleges, Highest graduate earnings (10 years post graduation) and Least debt for graduating students.
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