Quick Facts

Contributing to the Educational and Economic Welfare of South Carolina

Since 1826, the independent sector of postsecondary education has been a vital part of the cultural, educational, and economic development of South Carolina. The independent colleges and universities continue to provide rich, robust, and diverse higher educational opportunities that are an integral part of the development and maintenance of a balance educational system in the state. Consider the following:

• SCICU’s member colleges and universities serve the needs of more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students.
• While enrolling approximately 14% of all undergraduates in the state, SCICU member colleges and universities award 23% of the state’s bachelor degrees.
• Our colleges and universities have an average Student-to-Faculty Ratio of 14-to-1.
• Our independent institutions are diverse and have served the state’s minority communities for many generations. Our overall minority enrollment is 46%. Excluding the historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), total minority enrollment at SCICU member colleges and universities is 32%.
• Our total undergraduate female enrollment is 59%. Excluding our two women’s colleges, total female enrollment is 57%.
• Although most of our students are South Carolina residents, 29% of our undergraduate students are non-residents or from another country.
• More than 95% of the students attending SCICU member schools receive financial assistance.
• Direct institutional financial assistance ($251 million) accounts for nearly 2/5 (39%) of all student aid received by students attending SCICU member institutions.
• South Carolina’s independent colleges and universities employ nearly 7,300 faculty and staff and are economic engines and cultural centers adding more than $773 million annually to the state’s economy.

Source: SCICU Statistical Abstract, 2018