University of South Carolina-Lancaster
- Graduation Rate
- 27% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $39,426 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $9,801 B
- 43% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 83% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 22.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $22.9 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $22.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $858,974.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 27% — 53% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $22.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About University of South Carolina-Lancaster
University of South Carolina-Lancaster is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Community College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 668
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Business & Marketing, Criminal Justice
Why students choose University of South Carolina-Lancaster
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 83% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $9,801 a year after grants and scholarships — 43% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $39,426 ten years after enrolling — 3% below the typical college, against $9,616 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 0.72 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
At the University of South Carolina-Lancaster, students can expect a close-knit environment with an enrollment of just 668 peers, making it ideal for those who appreciate personal attention in their education. The school stands out for its programs in Humanities, Business & Marketing, and Criminal Justice—fields that cater to a diverse range of interests and career aspirations. With an acceptance rate of 83%, it’s accessible for many students looking for a supportive atmosphere to start their academic journey.
Life after graduation can look promising for students, especially considering that the average earnings ten years post-graduation hover around $39,426. This figure suggests that, while the graduation rate is relatively low at 27%, those who do complete their degrees find opportunities that can lead to stable employment. The affordability of the education here is also noteworthy, as many students manage to navigate their financial responsibilities without excessive debt.
When it comes to costs, the net price after aid stands at $9,801, which is manageable for many. With a median debt of $9,616, students here tend to leave with a reasonable financial burden. The environment at USC-Lancaster is particularly well-suited for those who thrive in smaller, community-oriented settings, where they can build meaningful connections with faculty and peers alike.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective University of South Carolina-Lancaster is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of South Carolina-Lancaster? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Lancaster, South Carolina, University of South Carolina-Lancaster admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 83%. The graduation rate is roughly 27%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 83%
- Retention Rate
- 43%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 73%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,756
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.58
- Applicants
- 731
- Admitted
- 557
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of South Carolina-Lancaster? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of South Carolina-Lancaster is $18,238, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $9,801. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,306 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $9,616 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $7,558
- Out-of-State
- $18,238
- Avg Net Price
- $9,801
- Median Debt
- $9,616
- Pell Grant Rate
- 10%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 10%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $6,306
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $6,462
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $9,072
- Family Income $110K+
- $13,884
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of South Carolina-Lancaster Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of South Carolina-Lancaster report median earnings of $39,426, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $35,206
- 8 Years
- $36,835
- 10 Years
- $39,426
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.24x
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (69)
- 22%
- 100% (69)
- 22%
- 100% (69)
- 22%
- 100% (69)
- 22%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is University of South Carolina-Lancaster Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of South Carolina-Lancaster delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $9,801/year ($39,204 total). Graduates earn $39,426 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $898,178 in total earnings — a net gain of $858,974 (22.9× your investment). The median debt is $9,616, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 27% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $39,204
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $898,178
- Net Return
- $858,974
- ROI Multiple
- 22.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $9,801
- Median Debt
- $9,616
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 27%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $9,831,932
- Federal Grants
- $668,085
Top Programs
The fields University of South Carolina-Lancaster awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Humanities 72%
- Business & Marketing 20%
- Criminal Justice 8%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of South Carolina-Lancaster's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CTraining Manager$125,040 · 6% growthResilient 74
- CProduct Manager$125,000 · 8% growthAdaptable 52
- C-Scrum Master$105,000 · 8% growthAdaptable 52
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of South Carolina-Lancaster? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Lancaster, South Carolina, University of South Carolina-Lancaster admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 83%. The graduation rate is roughly 27%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of South Carolina-Lancaster? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of South Carolina-Lancaster is $18,238, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $9,801. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,306 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $9,616 in federal student loans.
Is University of South Carolina-Lancaster Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of South Carolina-Lancaster report median earnings of $39,426, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
How Connected Is University of South Carolina-Lancaster? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs below average at University of South Carolina-Lancaster. Its economic connectedness score is 0.72, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 2% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of South Carolina-Lancaster.
- University of South Carolina-SumterSumter, SC · Close peer38% grad $42,437 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Richard Bland CollegeSouth Prince George, VA · Close peer13% grad $41,452 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- SABER CollegeMiami, FL · Close peer70% grad $40,816 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of South Carolina-SalkehatchieAllendale, SC · Close peer25% grad $31,360 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of South Carolina-UnionUnion, SC · Strong match43% grad $33,699 earn 62% acceptWhy: similar size · same state
- Louisburg CollegeLouisburg, NC · Strong match29% grad $34,818 earn 56% acceptWhy: similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of South Carolina-Lancaster? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs below average at University of South Carolina-Lancaster. Its economic connectedness score is 0.72, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 2% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note