Here’s a shocking truth: despite the University of South Carolina (USC) enrolling a record number of in-state students, many South Carolinians still believe their public universities are neglecting their own. But is this perception rooted in reality, or is there more to the story? Let’s dive in.
At a recent Ways and Means Higher Education Subcommittee meeting on January 29, State Rep. Nathan Ballentine, R-Richland, called on USC President Michael Amiridis to address this growing misconception. Amiridis was clear: “The idea that we’re turning away in-state students is simply not true.” So, what’s really happening?
This year, USC received over 60,000 applications, with 15,000 coming from South Carolina residents. And here’s where it gets interesting: 75% of those in-state applicants were directly admitted. But what about the remaining 25%? Well, 15%—students the university believes might struggle academically—are offered a unique opportunity: a bridge program through technical colleges or USC’s two-year campuses, designed to help them transfer in later. Only 10% of in-state applicants are outright denied.
Amiridis emphasized, “We’re not in the business of admitting students just to collect tuition if we know they’ll struggle to succeed.” The rest of the system, he added, is overwhelmingly comprised of in-state students.
Last fall, USC’s enrollment in Columbia surpassed 40,000 students, including the largest-ever freshman class of over 7,800. According to the Office of Institutional Research, Assessment and Analytics, 56.3% of the current student body hails from South Carolina, with representation from every county. While this figure is slightly down from 61.8% in 2013, it’s important to note that USC enrolled nearly 10,000 fewer students back then.
And this is the part most people miss: A decade ago, USC received just 10,000 applications annually. Today, twice as many South Carolina students are offered spots on the Columbia campus compared to that time. Scott Verzyl, USC’s vice president of enrollment, confirmed that the undergraduate class currently includes a record number of South Carolinians. “The public misperception is baffling,” Verzyl told The State. “We give significant preference to in-state students.”
But here’s the catch: admission doesn’t always equal attendance. Factors like academic programs, peer influence, the desire to leave home, and financial aid play a huge role in a student’s decision. Verzyl also noted that only about half of out-of-state applicants are admitted—a number that’s steadily declining. “We admit all qualified South Carolina residents who apply,” he explained. “Out-of-state students are only accepted to meet our overall enrollment goals.”
So, why the disconnect? Is it a matter of communication, or are there deeper concerns at play? And what does this mean for the future of higher education in South Carolina? Let’s keep the conversation going—what’s your take? Do you think USC is doing enough for in-state students, or is there room for improvement? Share your thoughts in the comments!
