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South Carolina Colleges Graduation Rates

South Carolina Best Schools Compare All South Carolina Schools
Graduate Rate 62.56%
Male 58.71%
Female 65.43%
Transfer-Out Rate 19.70%
Retention Rate
Full-time / Part-time 70% / 44%

South Carolina Colleges Graduation Rate

The average graduation rate of South Carolina colleges is 62.56% - 17,138 students out of 27,396 candidates were completed their degree within 150% normal time (for example, within 6 years for students seeking a 4-year bachelors degree)). By gender, 6,878 male and 10,260 female students have graduated last year completing their studies within 150% normal time.The following table summarizes the graduation rate by gender with number of completers.
Graduation Rate By Gender
South Carolina colleges and universities
CandidatesCompletersGraduation Rates
Total27,39617,13862.56%
Male11,7156,87858.71%
Female15,68110,26065.43%
[Chart] South Carolina Colleges and Universities Graduation Rate by Gender

BS Degree Graduation Rates By Completion Periods

For 4 years (or high) schools, 14,057 students completed their degree in 4 years and 2,508 finished in 5 years at South Carolina colleges. Additional 541 students graduated within 6 years.
Graduation Rates By Completion Periods
South Carolina Colleges
TotalMaleFemale
4 Year or Less51.31% 44.59% 56.33%
5 Year60.47% 56.24% 63.62%
6 Year62.44% 58.61% 65.30%
[Chart] South Carolina Colleges and Universities BS Degree Graduation Rates By Completion Periods

Retention Rate

By definition, retention rate is the percentage of students who return to a college for their sophomore year. The average retention rate of South Carolina colleges is 70.64% for full-time students and 44.14% for part-time students.
Retention Rates (2024-2025)
South Carolina Colleges and Universities
Full-timePart-time
Retention Rate 70.64%44.14%
[Chart] South Carolina Colleges and Universities Retention Rate

Transfer-Out Rates

The average transfer-out rate at South Carolina colleges is 19.70%. The transfer-out rate is calculated by dividing students who have transferred out of other institution into total number of students (candidates) within 150% normal time.
Transfer-Out Rates
South Carolina Colleges and Universities
Transfer-outTotal StudentsTransfer-Out Rate
Total 5,39627,396 19.70%
Male 2,35611,715 20.11%
Female 3,04015,681 19.39%
[Chart] South Carolina Colleges and Universities Transfer-Out Rates
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