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Winthrop University

Winthrop University

Rock Hill, SC · City · 3,523 students
WebsiteCommon AppScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$15,343
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
59%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
54% typical
$47,185
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$55,177 typical
79%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
82% typical · not scored
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

Winthrop University is a mid-sized public institution in Rock Hill, South Carolina, renowned for blending a close-knit liberal arts atmosphere with easy access to the metropolitan opportunities of nearby Charlotte. The university is particularly distinguished for its nationally accredited College of Visual and Performing Arts, as well as its acclaimed programs in teacher education, business administration, and the sciences. Set on a picturesque, neo-Georgian historic campus, student life is defined by a vibrant creative community, active civic engagement, and NCAA Division I athletics in the Big South Conference. Distinctively founded as a teachers' college in 1886, Winthrop sets itself apart by offering the personalized faculty mentorship of a small private college alongside the affordability and robust resources of a public university.

Wikipedia:Winthrop University is a public university in Rock Hill, South Carolina, United States. It was founded in 1886 by David Bancroft Johnson, who served as the superintendent of Columbia, South Carolina, schools. He received a grant from Robert Charles Winthrop, a philanthropist from Boston, Massachusetts, to establish the school.

Location
Rock Hill, SC, 29733 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
RDU · Raleigh-Durham
142 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$14,678$28,676
Housing & food (on campus)$11,072$11,072
Books & supplies$1,200$1,200
Cost of attendance$37,340$51,252
Average net price$15,343Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$28,676
In-state: $14,678
Housing & food (on campus)$11,072
Books & supplies$1,200
Cost of attendance$51,252
In-state: $37,340
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $15,343
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.winthrop.edu
How it’s made up · out-of-state, 2026-27
Winthrop University’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$28,020
Fees$956
Housing$14,112
Books & supplies$1,200
Personal expenses$4,168
Transportation$2,702
Total published by the school$51,252
See how the in-state total ($37,340) is made up
How it’s made up · in-state, 2026-27
Winthrop University’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$13,980
Fees$1,084
Housing$14,112
Books & supplies$1,200
Personal expenses$4,168
Transportation$2,702
Total published by the school$37,340
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$12,608
$30–48k
$12,983
$48–75k
$13,966
$75–110k
$18,518
$110k+
$21,359
Merit aid · 2025-26
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$4,292
First-years who got one150
Source: Winthrop University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
59%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
46%
Back for yr 2
74%
Transferred
19%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
61% graduated · 28% transferred · 11% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$39,048
10 yrs after entry$47,185
Debt
Median at graduation$26,975
Monthly payment$286
Middle 50% owe$8.3k–$30.8k
90th percentile$41,688
Green marks a figure above the typical Master's (larger programs): 54% graduate within 6 yrs.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
79%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1139
R 520–630 · M 490–590
ACT midpoint
23
Comp 20–27
SAT middle 50%: 1010–1220
40080012001600

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Essay prompts
How much essays count at Winthrop University: Considered (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: Winthrop University's Common Data Set for 2025-26 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

If Winthrop University 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 36%Women 64%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
13 : 1
Pell grant
41%
First-gen
28%
Family income
$42,330
Independent
11%
Age at entry
20.0
Part-time
5%
Race & ethnicity
White
49%
Hispanic
9%
Black
32%
Asian
2%
Two or more
6%
Non-resident
2%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I without football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · 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
$39,048
After 10 yrs
$47,185
Business Administration, Management and Operations141
Psychology, General75
Biology, General63
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness61
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods54
Education, General41
Design and Applied Arts41
Social Work32
Fine and Studio Arts30
Sociology29
English Language and Literature, General26
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other23
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft22
Communication and Media Studies19
Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services17
Political Science and Government17
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$78M
Full-time faculty
64%
Faculty salary
$8,923/mo
Teaching spend
$9,121
per student
Federal loans
54%
Classification
Carnegie type
Master's (larger programs)
Research activity
Research college or university
$3M research spending
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

Wondering if Winthrop University is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search