- The University of South Carolina Sumter, a regional campus of the University of South Carolina, has as its mission to provide higher education and intellectual leadership for the Sumter area. At the heart of this mission is a teaching faculty of high quality dedicated to excellence in instruction, scholarship, public and professional service and creative endeavor which enrich the classroom experience. USC Sumter offers a varied curriculum rooted in the liberal arts and aimed at preparing students to continue their education in the university and throughout life. The University of South Carolina Sumter recruits students prepared to begin or planning to complete a baccalaureate level education.
School Highlights
University of South Carolina-Sumter serves 1,845 students (34% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 34:1 is higher than the state community college average of 29:1.
Minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the state average of 48%.
Quick Facts (2026-27)
- Enrollment: 1,845 students
- In-state tuition: $6,686
- Out-state tuition: $16,130
- Acceptance Rate: 74%
- Student-teacher ratio: 34:1
- Minority enrollment: 43%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Top Rankings
University of South Carolina-Sumter ranks among the top 20% of public schools in South Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Debt For Students
School Overview
The teacher population of 55 teachers has declined by 44% over five years.
University of South Carolina-Sumter
(SC) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges
Associate's Colleges
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
55 staff
71 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of University of South Carolina-Sumter has grown by 33% over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 34:1 has increased from 14:1 over five years.
The University of South Carolina-Sumter diversity score of 0.62 is more than the state average of 0.00. The school's diversity has declined by 5% over five years.
Total Enrollment
1,845 students
1,975 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
34:1
29:1
# Full-Time Students
636 students
661 students
# Part-Time Students
1,209 students
1,209 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
1,845 students
1,975 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
636 students
661 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
1,209 students
1,209 students
% Asian
3%
2%
% Hispanic
8%
9%
% Black
22%
29%
% White
57%
52%
% Two or more races
5%
4%
% Non Resident races
2%
n/a
% Unknown races
1%
4%
Diversity Score
0.62
0.00
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
26%
26%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$34,400
$28,800
Tuition & Financial Aid
The public in-state tuition of $6,686 is more than the state average of $5,692. The in-state tuition has declined by 11% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $16,130 is more than the state average of $10,568. The out-state tuition has declined by 11% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$6,686
$5,692
Out-State Tuition Fees
$16,130
$10,568
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
95%
95%
Median Debt for Graduates
$8,875
$11,729
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,500
$5,500
Acceptance Rate
74%
77%
SAT Total Avg.
945
888
SAT Reading
475
430
SAT Math
470
458
ACT Total Avg.
56
53
ACT Composite
19
18
ACT English
19
17
ACT Math
18
18
Sports
Colors
Garnet and White
School Mascot
Fire Ant
Source: 2025 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators
School Notes
- The University of South Carolina Sumter was established to encourage higher education in Sumter and adjacent counties. It primarily serves students from Sumter, Lee, Clarendon, Williamsburg, and Kershaw counties. The institution itself grants the Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees and provides for the completion of selected bachelor degrees on campus through cooperative agreements with other institutions. As early as 1960, a dialogue was established between representatives of Sumter and Clemson University to establish a two-year branch campus. The desire for an institution of higher learning was not abated after the opening of Sumter Area Technical Center in 1962 and a partnership was struck in 1965 to establish Clemson's first academic branch in Sumter. The Sumter County Commission for Higher Education resisted this concept, but were ultimately forced to agree to the plot selected by Edwards. The site occupied 35 acres of grassy fields that once served as the Sumter Airport. The original campus designed by Charles McCreight consisted of four one-story buildings: an Administration Building, Classroom Building, Science Building and Library totaling 59,000 square feet. The Administration Building was sited on Miller Drive, considered the "front door" of the campus. The remaining buildings were located behind the Administration Building, forming a pedestrian courtyard between them. The landscape design by Robert Marvin featured many trees, mostly live oaks and bald cypress trees. The facility was formally dedicated on April 24, 1967. A full range of programs is available on the USC Sumter campus from associate degrees through a variety of graduate offerings. The bachelor's degree offerings in business administration, elementary education, early childhood education, interdisciplinary studies, and nursing meet the educational needs of most students without having to leave Sumter. A wide range of transfer programs is also available into undergraduate programs such as accounting, engineering, pharmacy, liberal arts, biology, computer science, criminal justice, media arts without loss of any credit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does University of South Carolina-Sumter cost?
University of South Carolina-Sumter's tuition is approximately $6,686 for In-State students and $16,130 for Out-State students.
What is the acceptance rate of University of South Carolina-Sumter?
The acceptance rate of University of South Carolina-Sumter is 74%, which is lower than the state average of 77%.
What is University of South Carolina-Sumter's ranking?
University of South Carolina-Sumter ranks among the top 20% of community college in South Carolina for: Least debt for graduating students.
Nearby Schools
The nearest community college to University of South Carolina-Sumter is Central Carolina Technical College (0.2 miles away)
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
506 N Guignard Dr
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 778-1961
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 778-1961
0.2 miles
Enrollment: 2,825 students Student-teacher ratio: 29:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
South University-Columbia
Private for-profit
9 Science Court
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 799-9082
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 799-9082
35.6 miles
Enrollment: 504 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
3250 Saint Matthews Rd
Orangeburg, SC 29118
(803) 536-0311
Orangeburg, SC 29118
(803) 536-0311
37.5 miles
Enrollment: 2,106 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 In-state tuition: $4,861 Out-state tuition: $6,637 Minority enrollment: 66%
2715 W. Lucas Street
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 661-8324
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 661-8324
38.5 miles
Enrollment: 3,522 students Student-teacher ratio: 33:1 In-state tuition: $4,198 Out-state tuition: $6,022 Minority enrollment: 61%
601 Martin Luther King Jr Ave
Kingstree, SC 29556
(843) 355-4110
Kingstree, SC 29556
(843) 355-4110
38.5 miles
Enrollment: 668 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 In-state tuition: $3,876 Out-state tuition: $7,260 Minority enrollment: 73%
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