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Benedict College

Benedict College

Columbia, SC · City · 1,536 students
WebsiteCommon AppScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$18,250
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
23%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
43% typical
$31,902
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$45,606 typical
96%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
75% typical · not scored
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

Founded in 1870 by a woman, Bathsheba A. Benedict, Benedict College is a historic, private HBCU in Columbia, South Carolina, best known for its dedication to social mobility, affordability, and transformative liberal arts education. The college boasts highly regarded academic programs in the STEM fields, Business Administration, and Criminal Justice, providing students with robust undergraduate research and career-readiness opportunities. On campus, students experience a vibrant, family-like culture defined by "Tiger Pride," which comes alive through championship NCAA Division II athletics, active Greek life, and the renowned "Band of Distinction" marching band. What truly sets Benedict apart is its consistent national recognition as a top baccalaureate college for upward economic mobility, ensuring that students from all backgrounds receive the personalized mentorship needed to become global leaders.

Wikipedia:Benedict College is a private historically black college in Columbia, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1870 by northern Baptists, it was originally a teachers' college. It has since expanded to offer majors in many disciplines across the liberal arts. The campus includes buildings in the Benedict College Historic District, a historic area listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Location
Columbia, SC, 29204-1086 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
RDU · Raleigh-Durham
181 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$17,440
Housing & food (on campus)$7,146
Books & supplies$1,600
Cost of attendance$26,517
Average net price$18,250
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$17,440
Housing & food (on campus)$7,146
Books & supplies$1,600
Cost of attendance$26,517
Average net price$18,250
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: benedict.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
Benedict College’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$16,343
Housing$3,726
Food$3,726
Total published by the school$26,517
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$17,177
$30–48k
$18,686
$48–75k
$19,295
$75–110k
$20,250
$110k+
$20,328
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
23%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
13%
Back for yr 2
57%
Transferred
18%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
23% graduated · 34% transferred · 43% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$24,908
10 yrs after entry$31,902
Debt
Median at graduation$32,500
Monthly payment$345
Middle 50% owe$7.8k–$37k
90th percentile$49,250
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
96%
Test policy
Not required
Per College Scorecard

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Essay prompts

If Benedict College asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 49%Women 51%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
13 : 1
Pell grant
62%
First-gen
41%
Family income
$17,950
Independent
14%
Age at entry
20.0
Part-time
3%
Race & ethnicity
White
1%
Hispanic
3%
Black
79%
Two or more
3%
Non-resident
10%
Unknown
4%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division II with football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Indoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Outdoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Men's · Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$24,908
After 10 yrs
$31,902
Biology, General53
Business Administration, Management and Operations38
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness35
Criminal Justice and Corrections28
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods24
Communication and Media Studies21
Psychology, General20
Public Health13
Social Work12
Computer Science11
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians11
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations9
Computer Engineering8
Fine and Studio Arts7
Music7
Accounting and Related Services7
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$30M
Full-time faculty
73%
Faculty salary
$6,890/mo
Teaching spend
$5,465
per student
Federal loans
63%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate — diverse fields
Research activity
Research college or university
$8M research spending
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

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