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University of South Carolina Aiken

Aiken, SC · Suburb · 2,962 students
WebsiteCommon AppScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$11,641
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
40%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
50% typical
$45,603
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$48,772 typical
79%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
77% typical · not scored
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

The University of South Carolina Aiken is a highly ranked public institution widely recognized for providing a personalized, private-college atmosphere at an affordable public-school price. Undergraduates thrive in standout programs such as nursing, business administration, and cybersecurity, the latter of which benefits from a unique research partnership with the nearby Savannah River National Laboratory. The campus culture is vibrant yet close-knit, featuring a highly supportive student body, active NCAA Division II "Pacer" athletics, and a strong emphasis on collaborative undergraduate research rather than graduate-student-led instruction. Set in a historic, equestrian-focused community, USC Aiken uniquely distinguishes itself with the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center, a hands-on STEM hub on campus that offers students exceptional teaching, research, and community outreach opportunities.

Wikipedia:The University of South Carolina Aiken is a public university in the Aiken, South Carolina area. It is part of the University of South Carolina System and offers undergraduate degree programs as well as master's degrees. Additional graduate courses and degree programs are offered through the University of South Carolina Extended Graduate Campus program. The University of South Carolina Aiken awards baccalaureate degrees in more than 30 major areas of study including the bachelor of science in business administration online through Palmetto College.

Location
Aiken, SC, 29801 · Suburb campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
ATL · Atlanta
153 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$10,760$21,218
Housing & food (on campus)$9,182$9,182
Books & supplies$1,250$1,250
Cost of attendance$21,540$31,998 est.
Average net price$11,641Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$21,218
In-state: $10,760
Housing & food (on campus)$9,182
Books & supplies$1,250
Cost of attendance$31,998 est.
In-state: $21,540
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $11,641
est. = the in-state cost of attendance with out-of-state tuition swapped in; no out-of-state figure is published.
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$8,987
$30–48k
$8,435
$48–75k
$11,440
$75–110k
$16,046
$110k+
$17,502
Merit aid · 2024-25
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$4,430
First-years who got one2,199
Source: University of South Carolina Aiken's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures.
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
40%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
23%
Back for yr 2
67%
Transferred
37%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
44% graduated · 39% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 17% left or unknown
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$39,689
10 yrs after entry$45,603
Debt
Median at graduation$24,275
Monthly payment$257
Middle 50% owe$5.5k–$27k
90th percentile$37,250
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
79%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1120
R 510–620 · M 470–600
ACT midpoint
20
Comp 19–26 · E 17–25 · M 17–25
SAT middle 50%: 980–1220
40080012001600

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Essay prompts
How much essays count at University of South Carolina Aiken: Considered (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: University of South Carolina Aiken's Common Data Set for 2024-25 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures.

If University of South Carolina Aiken 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 39%Women 61%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
16 : 1
Pell grant
39%
First-gen
33%
Family income
$38,483
Independent
19%
Age at entry
21.0
Part-time
13%
Race & ethnicity
White
57%
Hispanic
10%
Black
22%
Asian
1%
Two or more
6%
Non-resident
2%
Unknown
1%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division II without football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Golf
    Men's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$39,689
After 10 yrs
$45,603
Business Administration, Management and Operations143
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing109
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods57
Psychology, General42
Biology, General38
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness38
Communication and Media Studies31
Computer and Information Sciences, General21
Sociology19
Fine and Studio Arts12
English Language and Literature, General11
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication8
Industrial Engineering8
Chemistry7
Special Education and Teaching6
Political Science and Government5
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$36M
Full-time faculty
61%
Faculty salary
$8,537/mo
Teaching spend
$10,925
per student
Federal loans
43%
Classification
Carnegie type
Master's (small programs)
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

Wondering if University of South Carolina Aiken is the right fit for you?

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Financial aid & net cost estimates
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