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 own kids are being left behind. But is this perception rooted in reality, or is there more to the story? Let’s dive in.
During a recent Ways and Means Higher Education Subcommittee meeting on January 29, State Rep. Nathan Ballentine, R-Richland, pressed USC President Michael Amiridis to address this growing misconception. Amiridis didn’t hold back: “The idea that we’re turning away South Carolina students is simply not true,” he stated firmly. So, what’s really going on?
This year, USC received a staggering 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 that’s not all—another 15%, students who might struggle during their first year, 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 explained, “We don’t admit students we believe won’t succeed just to collect tuition. That’s not our mission.” The rest of the system, he added, is overwhelmingly focused on serving South Carolinians.
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 the Palmetto State, 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. Last year, twice as many South Carolina students were offered spots on the Columbia campus compared to that time.
Scott Verzyl, USC’s vice president of enrollment, emphasized, “We’re enrolling more South Carolinians than ever before. The numbers don’t lie.” Yet, the public perception persists. “It’s baffling,” Verzyl admitted to The State. “We prioritize in-state students—significantly.”
Even when admitted, not all South Carolinians choose to attend. Factors like academic programs, peer influence, the desire to leave home, and financial aid play a huge role. But here’s where it gets controversial: while USC admits nearly all qualified in-state applicants, only about half of out-of-state students are accepted—a number that’s steadily declining. “We take as many out-of-state students as needed to meet our enrollment goals, but in-state students always come first,” Verzyl clarified.
So, why the disconnect? Is it a matter of miscommunication, or are there deeper concerns at play? What do you think? Does USC’s approach to admissions feel fair, or is there room for improvement? Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments—your perspective matters!
