UofSC enrollment increases
Preliminary data shows increase in number of SC residents, 28 percent jump in African American freshman enrollment
Posted on: September 8, 2020; Updated on: September 8, 2020
By Jeff Stensland, stenslan@mailbox.sc.edu, 803-777-3686
The University of South Carolina welcomed almost 7,800 new students to the Columbia campus this fall and the incoming freshman class is more diverse and has more in-state students than any previous class.
“I’m thrilled and honored to greet this extraordinary class of first-time students to campus and to Columbia,” university President Bob Caslen says. “The diversity and academic talent represented in this new group of students will make us even stronger, and I look forward to seeing these students become an integral part of our Gamecock community.”
Here are a few highlights of the new class (all numbers are preliminary):
- Of the 7,750 estimated new students who are freshmen, transfers and participants in the residential bridge program, more than 4,700 are from South Carolina.
- African American freshman enrollment grew by 28 percent over last year and has grown by 84 percent since 2016.
- Underrepresented minorities make up 25 percent of the new students, with their numbers growing 9 percent in this year's freshman class compared with last year.
- Hispanic freshman enrollment is up 55 percent since 2016.
- Nearly 18 percent of the new freshman class are first-generation college students.
- In addition to in-state residents, there are new students from 44 other states and the District of Columbia.
- About 580 freshmen are enrolled in the South Carolina Honors College and an estimated 1,490 freshmen are participating in the Capstone Scholars program.
- Including graduate students, overall enrollment at the Columbia campus is at a record 35,500 students.
“Our continued success in attracting top students from South Carolina and beyond is directly related to the transformative experiences of current and former students,” says Scott Verzyl, associate vice president for enrollment management.
“UofSC not only offers students tremendous opportunities inside the classroom to obtain a world-class education, but our vibrant and diverse campus culture also affords students the opportunity to engage in beyond-the-classroom experiences, grow as individuals, master critical skills, develop strong relationships and become future leaders. It is no surprise that more and more South Carolina residents are realizing the value of a UofSC degree and choosing to become Gamecocks.”
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