- 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 1,890 students (29% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 19:1 is higher than the state community college average of 18:1.
Minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the state average of 48%.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Enrollment: 1,890 students
- In-state tuition: $6,686
- Out-state tuition: $16,130
- Acceptance Rate: 84%
- Student:teacher ratio: 19:1
- Minority enrollment: 41%
- 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
Debt For Students
School Overview
The teacher population of 99 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
University of South Carolina-Sumter
(SC) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges: High Transfer-High Nontraditional
Associate's Colleges: High Vocational & Technical-High Traditional
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
177 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 19:1 has increased from 14:1 over five years.
The University of South Carolina-Sumter diversity score of 0.59 is less than the state average of 0.63. The school's diversity has declined by 5% over five years.
Total Enrollment
1,890 students
1,971 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
19:1
18:1
# Full-Time Students
541 students
622 students
# Part-Time Students
1,349 students
1,349 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
189 students
279 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
541 students
605 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
8 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
1,349 students
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
2%
2%
% Hispanic
8%
9%
% Black
22%
29%
% White
59%
52%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
5%
4%
% Non Resident races
2%
n/a
% Unknown races
1%
4%
Diversity Score
0.59
0.63
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
26%
26%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
17%
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 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
94%
93%
Median Debt for Graduates
$8,875
$11,729
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,500
$5,500
Acceptance Rate
84%
88%
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: 2024 (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 84%, which is lower than the state average of 88%.
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: Least debt for graduating students.
Nearby Schools
The nearest community college to University of South Carolina-Sumter is Central Carolina Technical College (0.2 miles away)
School
Location
Miles
Students
506 N Guignard Dr
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 778-1961
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 778-1961
0.2 miles
| 4,489 students
South University-Columbia
Private for-profit
9 Science Court
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 799-9082
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 799-9082
35.6 miles
| 879 students
3250 Saint Matthews Rd
Orangeburg, SC 29118
(803) 536-0311
Orangeburg, SC 29118
(803) 536-0311
37.5 miles
| 2,897 students
2715 W. Lucas Street
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 661-8324
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 661-8324
38.5 miles
| 4,040 students
601 Martin Luther King Jr Ave
Kingstree, SC 29556
(843) 355-4110
Kingstree, SC 29556
(843) 355-4110
38.5 miles
| 943 students
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