University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie

70.9%Acceptance

$7,558Tuition

290Students

22%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$31,360Earnings

Public2-yearSAT/ACT Test BlindNJCAAData: 2023-24

About University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie

USC Salkehatchie serves as a two-year regional campus in rural South Carolina with 290 students. This small branch of the University of South Carolina system provides an affordable pathway to higher education in one of the state's most remote areas. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know students by name. With a 70.91% acceptance rate, the school welcomes most applicants who want to start their college journey close to home. Nearly 81% of students come from within South Carolina.

The financial picture tells a compelling story for budget-conscious families. Students pay an average net price of $12,395 after aid, with the lowest-income families paying just $9,570. However, graduates earn a median of $31,360 ten years after enrollment, which barely covers the monthly loan payments of $117 for those who borrow. The median debt load of $11,000 remains relatively manageable. Only 18.79% of students take federal loans, suggesting many pay as they go.

The campus fields five varsity sports with 107 total athletes competing at the NJCAA level. Women slightly outnumber men at 52.41% of enrollment. The student body reflects South Carolina's diversity, with 43.45% white students and 31.72% Black students creating a genuinely integrated learning environment.

Academics & Faculty

This two-year regional campus of the University of South Carolina serves as an affordable stepping stone to higher education in rural South Carolina. With a student-faculty ratio of 15:1, students receive personalized attention from professors who focus on teaching rather than research. The campus emphasizes transfer preparation and career-focused programs that align with local workforce needs. Only 21.80% of students complete their programs within six years, reflecting the challenges many community college students face balancing work, family, and education. Academic support services help students navigate these obstacles while preparing for either transfer to four-year institutions or direct entry into the job market with practical skills.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Full-Time Faculty: 43.8%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 21.8%
Median Earnings (10 years): $31,360

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Bachelor	$19,045

View all 3 programs →

Campus Life

This two-year regional campus serves 290 students in rural Allendale, about 90 miles from Charleston and Columbia. With 80% of students coming from in-state, the campus maintains a close-knit South Carolina community feel. The student-faculty ratio of 15:1 creates an intimate learning environment where professors know students by name.

Allendale sits in South Carolina's Lowcountry, where mild winters mean you'll rarely need heavy coats but summers require serious air conditioning and sunscreen. The campus doesn't offer on-campus housing, so students commute from surrounding small towns and farmland. With just 107 athletes competing in five NJCAA sports, games become major social events for the entire campus. Weekends often revolve around athletic competitions, local community events, or trips to larger cities for entertainment. The 97.7% employment rate reflects the campus's focus on workforce preparation and career training. Students here value practical education over traditional college social scenes, building tight bonds through small class sizes and shared rural roots.

Setting: Rural-Remote
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

2 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Motor Vehicle Theft	0	0	1	0
Rape	0	0	1	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 32°–58°F
July Avg: 69°–93°F
Annual Precipitation: 46.3"
Annual Snowfall: 0.3"

Student Demographics

This two-year regional campus draws students primarily from South Carolina, with four out of five coming from in-state. The student body reflects the rural South Carolina Lowcountry, with a nearly even split between white and Black students making up three-quarters of enrollment. Women slightly outnumber men, typical for community colleges nationwide. The relatively low Pell Grant rate of 20% suggests USC Salkehatchie serves a mix of working-class families and students seeking affordable pathways to four-year degrees. Small enrollment of 290 students creates an intimate learning environment in this remote agricultural region.

Men: 47.6%
Women: 52.4%
White: 43.5%
Black: 31.7%
Hispanic: 9.0%
Asian: 0.7%
In-State Students: 80.5%
Pell Grant Recipients: 20.4%

Location

Allendale sits in rural South Carolina, about 90 miles southwest of Columbia and 65 miles from Augusta, Georgia. This small town of roughly 3,500 residents lies in the state's Lowcountry region, surrounded by farmland and pine forests. The 290 students at USC Salkehatchie make up a significant portion of the local population. The campus serves as one of four regional USC locations, providing affordable education in an area where the nearest major city requires over an hour's drive. With 80% of students coming from in-state, the college draws heavily from rural South Carolina communities. Students considering colleges in South Carolina may also compare USC Salkehatchie with similar schools in the region.

Address: Allendale, South Carolina 29810-0617

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $31,360
Median Earnings (5 years): $37,295
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $24,900
Loan Repayment Rate: 23.8%
Monthly Loan Payment: $117/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $11,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie?

The acceptance rate is 70.91%, making admission relatively accessible for most students. As a two-year regional campus in rural South Carolina, USC Salkehatchie focuses on providing affordable higher education access to local communities. The school serves 290 students with a nearly even gender split of 52.41% women and 47.59% men.

How much does University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie cost after financial aid?

The average net price is $12,395, though costs vary by family income. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $9,570 on average, while those from higher-income families ($110K+) pay $17,841. With 40% of students receiving institutional grants averaging $6,863, the school works to keep education affordable for rural South Carolina families.

What is the student-faculty ratio at University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie?

The student-faculty ratio is 15:1, providing relatively small class sizes for personalized attention. With only 290 total students on campus, USC Salkehatchie offers an intimate learning environment typical of regional two-year campuses. The school operates on a semester system and maintains strong employment connections in the local area.

What are the graduation and career outcomes at University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie?

The six-year graduation rate is 21.80%, which reflects the challenges many community college students face in completing their programs. However, graduates achieve a 97.7% employment rate, demonstrating strong job placement success. Ten years after enrollment, median earnings reach $31,360, with graduates typically carrying manageable debt of $11,000.

Where is University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie located and what is campus life like?

The campus sits in Allendale, South Carolina, in a rural-remote setting that serves the local agricultural community. With 107 student athletes competing in 5 NJCAA varsity sports, athletics play a meaningful role on the small campus. The school's teams are known as the Indians, and athletic scholarships total $44,724 across all programs.

How diverse is the student body at University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie?

The student body is 43.45% White and 31.72% Black, with 8.97% Hispanic students, reflecting the demographics of rural South Carolina. About 80.47% of students come from in-state, creating a close-knit community feel. Only 20.40% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a mix of economic backgrounds among the small enrollment of 290 students.