South University-Columbia campus
South University-Columbia logo

South University-Columbia

Type 4 year, Private
Business Model For Profit
Campus locale Suburb: Large
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate
Calendar system Quarter
Student body size Small
Student to faculty ratio 12 to 1
Students retention rate 25%
On-time graduation rate 13%

Located in Columbia, South Carolina, South University-Columbia is a private, for profit institution that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. South University-Columbia operates on a quarter-based calendar system, dividing the academic year into four terms.

One of the notable aspects of South University-Columbia is its open admission policy. This means that all high school graduates and individuals who hold a GED qualification are eligible to apply for admission. This inclusive approach allows a wide range of students to pursue their higher education goals, regardless of their academic background.

South University-Columbia is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, ensuring that the institution meets certain standards of quality and effectiveness. This accreditation also allows students to transfer credits to other accredited institutions if they choose to continue their education elsewhere.

With a students-to-faculty ratio of 12-to-1, South University-Columbia emphasizes small class sizes, fostering a supportive and interactive learning environment.

While the on-time graduation rate at South University-Columbia is reported to be 13%, it is essential to consider the context of this statistic. For-profit institutions often serve a diverse student population, including many non-traditional students who may face unique challenges in completing their degrees. For comparison, South Carolina state's graduation rate for the 2021-2022 was 52% whereas the national average was 48%.

The retention rate of students at South University-Columbia is 25% , which is lower than both the state and national averages. The state average retention rate in South Carolina is 73%, while the national average is 63%. This indicates that a significant proportion of students who enroll at South University-Columbia do not continue their studies after the first year.


  • Accredited by: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

In-State Tuition & Fees

$17,014

Cost of attendance at South University-Columbia in 2022 for students from South Carolina.

See how the college's in-state sticker price compares to 4 year For Profit, private colleges in the state as well as nationally.

South Carolina's average $11,805
National average $17,868

Out-of-State Tuition & Fees

$17,014

Cost of attendance at South University-Columbia in 2022 for the out-of-state and international students

See how the college's out-of-state sticker price compares to 4 year For Profit, private colleges in the state as well as nationally.

South Carolina's average $26,143
National average $17,869

Average Grant & Scholarships

In 2022, 80 of freshman students at South University-Columbia received on average $6,127 in grant and scholarships from the college, the state and/or the federal government. Below is detail stats of the aid provided to full-time, freshman students.

$6,127
Students Receiving Aid Average Amount Total Amount
Pell Grant 4 80% $4,334 $17,335
Other Federal Grant 4 80% $4,334 $17,335
State Grant/Scholarships 2 40% $2,800 $5,599
Institutional Grant/Scholarships 1 20% $1,575 $1,575
Total Grant & Scholarships 4 80% $6,127 $24,509

Graduation Rate

The following chart shows the graduation rate of South University-Columbia students who enrolled in 2015 and after. The stat covers all undergraduates registered as full-time students to study a 4-year bachelor's degree program for the first time.

The breakdown shows the graduation rate by race/ethnicity of US students. All international students are represented under one group.

As of August 31, 2021, the average graduation rate of South University-Columbia students is 13.3%. Female students graduated at a rate of 16.7%, whereas male students graduated at a rate of 0.0%.

13.3%

  • African American 11.1% 2 students

Service Offerings

South University-Columbia provides the following additional services to its students
  • Remedial services
  • Placement services for graduates
  • Academic/career counseling services
  • Employment services for students

Educational Offerings

South University-Columbia offers educational programs in the following categories. Check the programs section to learn more about specific programs that you are interested in.
  • Academic

Veteran Services

  • Member of Service-members Opportunity Colleges
  • Dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, military service-members, and their families
  • Recognized student veteran organization
  • Credit for military training
  • Yellow Ribbon Program (officially known as Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program)

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