Preliminary data show an increase in the number of SC residents, a 28% jump in enrollment of African-American freshmen
Posted on: September 8, 2020; Updated: September 8, 2020
By Jeff Stensland, [email protected], 803-777-3686
The University of South Carolina welcomed nearly 7,800 new students to the Columbia campus this fall and the incoming freshman class is more diverse and has more students in the state than any previous class.
“I am thrilled and honored to receive this extraordinary class of students for the first time on campus and in Columbia,” said university president Bob Caslen. “The diversity and academic talent represented in this new group of students will make us even stronger, and I look forward to seeing these students become an integral part of our Gamecock community.”
Here are some highlights of the new class (all figures are preliminary):
- Of the estimated 7,750 new students who are freshmen, transferred and participating in the residential bridge program, more than 4,700 are from South Carolina.
- Enrollments for African-American freshmen have increased 28% over last year and 84% since 2016.
- Underrepresented minorities make up 25% of new students, with their number growing 9% in this year’s freshman class compared to last year.
- Hispanic freshman enrollments have increased by 55% since 2016.
- Almost 18% of the new freshman class are first generation college students.
- In addition to residents in the state, there are new students from 44 other states and the District of Columbia.
- About 580 freshmen are enrolled at South Carolina Honors College and about 1,490 freshmen are participating in the Capstone Scholars program.
- Including graduate students, the total enrollment on the Columbia campus is 35,500 students.
“Our continued success in attracting the best students from South Carolina and elsewhere is directly related to the transformative experiences of current students and alumni,” said Scott Verzyl, associate vice president of enrollment management.
“UofSC not only offers students tremendous opportunities within the classroom to obtain world-class education, but our vibrant and diverse culture on campus also offers students the opportunity to engage in experiences beyond the classroom, grow as master critical skills, develop strong relationships and become future leaders. It is no surprise that more and more South Carolina residents are realizing the value of a UofSC diploma and opting to become Gamecocks. ”
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Topics: students, alumni, faculty, graduate admissions, diversity, South Carolina Honors College