South Carolina State University [SCSU]: Rankings, Courses, Admissions, Tuition Fee, Cost of Attendance & Scholarships

Popular Courses and SC State Fees 2027

South Carolina State University publishes annual tuition on a flat rate for full-time enrolment. Out-of-state tuition applies to all international applicants from India. Programme durations are 4 years for bachelor’s degrees and 2 years for most master’s degrees.

Top 10 SC State PG Programmes and Fees 2027

Master’s programmes follow a 2-year, 30 to 36 credit-hour structure. Total tuition is calculated as annual out-of-state tuition multiplied by 2, excluding the Nuclear Engineering PhD.

Top 5 SC State UG Programmes and Fees 2027

Bachelor’s degrees run 4 years at 120 to 130 credit hours. Total fee reflects out-of-state tuition across four years of full-time enrolment.

Insider note: Indian applicants gravitate toward Nuclear Engineering and Transportation, since SC State is one of few HBCUs with a Department of Energy nuclear pipeline that opens direct STEM OPT extensions.

Read More: SC State Fees and Cost of Living Guide

South Carolina State University Admission 2027

South Carolina State University runs two annual intakes: Fall in August and Spring in January. Fall is the primary intake for Indian applicants and offers the widest programme choice.

Planning note: Indian applicants should complete WES evaluation before submitting the application, since SC State does not accept photocopies of transcripts for admission decisions.

Read More: SC State Admissions Guide for Indian Students

South Carolina State University Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027

SC State evaluates Indian applicants on academic performance, English proficiency, and credential verification.

PG Requirements

• Academic: Bachelor’s degree with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended); 60% for MBA and MS Nuclear Engineering
• English Test: TOEFL iBT 61 or IELTS 6.0; verify at official page
• Credential Evaluation: WES or ECE course-by-course report required
• Standardised Tests: GRE recommended for MS Nuclear Engineering; GMAT optional for MBA

UG Requirements

• Academic: Class 12 with 65% to 75% (recommended)
• English Test: TOEFL iBT 61 or IELTS 6.0; SAT optional
• Credential Evaluation: WES or ECE evaluation of Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets

Key insight: SC State waives TOEFL and IELTS for Indian applicants who completed a bachelor’s degree taught fully in English, though a written medium-of-instruction letter must accompany the application.

South Carolina State University Acceptance Rate 2027

South Carolina State University records an acceptance rate of 74% (estimated) based on the most recent published admissions cycle. The university follows an inclusive admissions policy typical of regional HBCUs.

Indian applicants who meet minimum GPA and English test thresholds are typically admitted. Programmes like Nursing and Nuclear Engineering apply stricter secondary review.

Reality check: A high acceptance rate does not mean automatic F-1 visa approval; consulate officers still evaluate financial documentation and academic fit independently.

Read More: SC State Acceptance Rate

South Carolina State University Fees and Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027

Total annual cost for Indian students at SC State ranges USD 34,000 to USD 38,000 (INR 32.1 lakh to 35.9 lakh), covering out-of-state tuition and living expenses.

South Carolina State University Tuition Fees for Indian Students 2027

Out-of-state tuition applies uniformly to all Indian applicants across programmes.

Monthly Cost of Living in Orangeburg for Indian Students

Orangeburg is a low-cost small-town setting compared to major US metros, and on-campus housing keeps living costs predictable.

[Source: EducationUSA cost-of-living guidance 2026]

Insider note: Indian students frequently share off-campus apartments in Orangeburg for USD 350 to USD 450 monthly, cutting accommodation costs by nearly 40% compared to residence halls.

Read More: Cost of Living in USA for Indian Students

South Carolina State University Campus, Facilities and Student Life

South Carolina State University occupies a 160-acre campus in Orangeburg, roughly 40 miles from the state capital Columbia. The main campus houses academic buildings, residence halls, and the historic I.P. Stanback Museum.

• Location and transport: Orangeburg connects to Columbia and Charleston via I-26; local Greyhound and campus shuttles serve airport transfers
• Housing: Guaranteed on-campus housing for international students at USD 650 per month; six residence halls with meal-plan integration
• Notable facility: James E. Clyburn University Transportation Center, a federally funded research hub for transportation and nuclear engineering studies
• Indian student community: Small but active graduate cohort in Nuclear Engineering and Transportation, supported by the International Programs Office

What Indian students say: Small class sizes and easy faculty access are cited as strong positives. Public transport limitations mean a shared vehicle or rideshare is essential for weekend errands.

South Carolina State University Scholarships 2027

SC State offers merit-based tuition awards accessible to Indian applicants. The university does not run an India-specific fund but international students qualify for general merit scholarships.

Planning note: Graduate Assistantships fill quickly and require faculty sponsorship, so contact department heads at least 8 weeks before the priority deadline.

Read More: SC State Scholarships Guide

South Carolina State University Rankings 2027

South Carolina State University is ranked #69 among Regional Universities South in the US News Best Colleges 2026-2027 edition and appears in the HBCU category rankings.

[Source: US News, QS, THE]

Regional South here means US News groups masters-level universities in the Southern states into a separate category. SC State’s HBCU rank of #23 reflects strong nuclear engineering research output relative to peer HBCUs.

Key insight: The University Grants Commission of India recognises US regionally accredited universities including SC State, which means degrees hold equivalence for Indian public-sector jobs and further study.

Read More: SC State Rankings Analysis

South Carolina State University Placements and Career Outcomes 2027

SC State reports strong graduate outcomes tied to its nuclear engineering, transportation and business programmes. Placement support runs through the Office of Career Services.

• Employment within 6 months: 78% (estimated) for graduate programmes
• Median starting salary: USD 45,200 (INR 42.7 lakh) — market median
• Top sectors: Nuclear engineering, transportation, public health, education, government agencies
• Career support: Dedicated F-1 OPT advisory, CPT tracking, and STEM extension counselling
• Notable pipeline: Department of Energy internship track for Nuclear Engineering students; representative employers include federal transportation labs and regional healthcare networks

Insider note: Indian STEM graduates on OPT typically transition to H-1B sponsors through the university’s Clyburn Transportation Center partnerships, since research labs actively recruit early-career visa holders.

South Carolina State University vs Peer Universities

SC State compares against other regional public HBCUs and mid-tier southern universities frequently shortlisted by Indian applicants seeking affordable STEM pathways.

SC State stands out for its Department of Energy nuclear engineering pipeline, which no other regional HBCU replicates at the same funding scale. Indian STEM candidates gain direct access to federal research internships.

South Carolina State University suits Indian STEM applicants who prioritise a fully funded nuclear engineering or transportation pathway with USD 22,776 out-of-state tuition against a USD 45,200 median starting salary, and want study in USA access to 36-month STEM OPT extensions.

SC State is not the fit for applicants seeking a top-100 global research brand or a large Indian student community. Applicants prioritising brand recognition over cost should compare against North Carolina Central University for a mid-tier HBCU alternative with stronger law and public affairs credentials.