South University, Columbia : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About South University
Set in the energy of South Carolina's capital, South University's Columbia campus is known for career-focused academics in health, business, technology, and public service. The vibe is applied and personal, with professional labs and classrooms, a quiet library, tutoring and writing help, advising, career services, and veteran-friendly support. It aims for clear outcomes without losing the human touch.
Student life leans community-first with clubs, volunteer projects, peer study groups, and casual campus events. And when it's time to exhale, the rivers, parks, food scene, and arts corridors sit within easy reach. Career prep shows up in resume help, mock interviews, hands-on placements, and employer talks, plus faculty who often bring local connections. The culture is welcoming and focused, with flexible schedules that fit working adults and a small-campus feel with city access.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Degree Programs & Career Salary Prospects
Explore degree programs offered at South University, Columbia with detailed career prospects, starting salary ranges, and job opportunities in South Carolina. See what you can do with your degree and expected earnings after graduation.
Health (9)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
51.0001
Health and Wellness, General.
(Cert2y+)
Graduate Career Earnings in South Carolina
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | South Carolina Avg | SC vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
21-1091 | Health Education Specialists | $71,700 | $65,660 | -$6,040 (-8.4%) |
21-1094 | Community Health Workers | $55,970 | $42,790 | -$13,180 (-23.5%) |
51.0701
Health/Health Care Administration/Management.
(Cert2y+, PostBacCert)
Graduate Career Earnings in South Carolina
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | South Carolina Avg | SC vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
11-9111 | Medical and Health Services Managers | $137,730 | $105,990 | -$31,740 (-23%) |
51.0801
Medical/Clinical Assistant.
(Cert<2y)
Graduate Career Earnings in South Carolina
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | South Carolina Avg | SC vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
25-1071 | Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $137,900 | $63,160 | -$74,740 (-54.2%) |
31-9092 | Medical Assistants | $44,720 | $38,260 | -$6,460 (-14.4%) |
51.0803
Occupational Therapist Assistant.
(Cert<2y)
Graduate Career Earnings in South Carolina
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | South Carolina Avg | SC vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
25-1071 | Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $137,900 | $63,160 | -$74,740 (-54.2%) |
31-2011 | Occupational Therapy Assistants | $68,540 | $68,420 | -$120 (-0.2%) |
51.0806
Physical Therapy Assistant.
(Cert<2y)
Graduate Career Earnings in South Carolina
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | South Carolina Avg | SC vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
31-2021 | Physical Therapist Assistants | $67,160 | $71,710 | +$4,550 (+6.8%) |
51.1508
Mental Health Counseling/Counselor.
(PostBacCert)
Graduate Career Earnings in South Carolina
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | South Carolina Avg | SC vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
21-1014 | Mental Health Counselors | N/A | N/A | N/A |
51.2201
Public Health, General.
(Cert2y+)
Graduate Career Earnings in South Carolina
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | South Carolina Avg | SC vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
11-9111 | Medical and Health Services Managers | $137,730 | $105,990 | -$31,740 (-23%) |
21-1091 | Health Education Specialists | $71,700 | $65,660 | -$6,040 (-8.4%) |
21-1094 | Community Health Workers | $55,970 | $42,790 | -$13,180 (-23.5%) |
25-1071 | Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $137,900 | $63,160 | -$74,740 (-54.2%) |
51.3801
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse.
(Cert2y+)
Graduate Career Earnings in South Carolina
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | South Carolina Avg | SC vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
25-1072 | Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary | $87,090 | $54,110 | -$32,980 (-37.9%) |
29-1141 | Registered Nurses | $98,430 | $78,340 | -$20,090 (-20.4%) |
Business (3)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
52.0201
Business Administration and Management, General.
(Cert2y+, PostBacCert)
Graduate Career Earnings in South Carolina
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | South Carolina Avg | SC vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
11-1011 | Chief Executives | $262,930 | $196,070 | -$66,860 (-25.4%) |
11-1021 | General and Operations Managers | $133,120 | $106,800 | -$26,320 (-19.8%) |
11-2022 | Sales Managers | $160,930 | $119,940 | -$40,990 (-25.5%) |
11-3012 | Administrative Services Managers | $126,030 | $109,460 | -$16,570 (-13.1%) |
11-3013 | Facilities Managers | $114,520 | $99,480 | -$15,040 (-13.1%) |
11-3051 | Industrial Production Managers | $129,180 | $123,210 | -$5,970 (-4.6%) |
11-3071 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $116,010 | $106,500 | -$9,510 (-8.2%) |
11-3111 | Compensation and Benefits Managers | $156,230 | $123,110 | -$33,120 (-21.2%) |
11-3121 | Human Resources Managers | $160,480 | $115,950 | -$44,530 (-27.7%) |
11-3131 | Training and Development Managers | $140,590 | $127,650 | -$12,940 (-9.2%) |
11-9021 | Construction Managers | $119,660 | N/A | N/A |
11-9072 | Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $87,060 | $85,780 | -$1,280 (-1.5%) |
11-9151 | Social and Community Service Managers | $86,100 | $68,510 | -$17,590 (-20.4%) |
11-9179 | Personal Service Managers, All Other | $70,620 | $79,740 | +$9,120 (+12.9%) |
11-9199 | Managers, All Other | $149,890 | $118,290 | -$31,600 (-21.1%) |
13-1051 | Cost Estimators | $83,160 | $67,720 | -$15,440 (-18.6%) |
13-1071 | Human Resources Specialists | $79,730 | $69,670 | -$10,060 (-12.6%) |
13-1081 | Logisticians | $87,600 | $67,760 | -$19,840 (-22.6%) |
13-1082 | Project Management Specialists | $108,100 | $89,520 | -$18,580 (-17.2%) |
13-1111 | Management Analysts | $114,710 | $99,080 | -$15,630 (-13.6%) |
13-1141 | Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $82,920 | $72,360 | -$10,560 (-12.7%) |
13-1199 | Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $92,380 | $94,810 | +$2,430 (+2.6%) |
25-1011 | Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $113,840 | $67,580 | -$46,260 (-40.6%) |
52.0213
Organizational Leadership.
(PostBacCert)
Graduate Career Earnings in South Carolina
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | South Carolina Avg | SC vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
11-2033 | Fundraising Managers | $137,290 | $108,290 | -$29,000 (-21.1%) |
11-3121 | Human Resources Managers | $160,480 | $115,950 | -$44,530 (-27.7%) |
11-3131 | Training and Development Managers | $140,590 | $127,650 | -$12,940 (-9.2%) |
11-9199 | Managers, All Other | $149,890 | $118,290 | -$31,600 (-21.1%) |
13-1111 | Management Analysts | $114,710 | $99,080 | -$15,630 (-13.6%) |
25-1011 | Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $113,840 | $67,580 | -$46,260 (-40.6%) |
Psychology (1)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
42.0101
Psychology, General.
(Cert2y+)
Graduate Career Earnings in South Carolina
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | South Carolina Avg | SC vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
11-9199 | Managers, All Other | $149,890 | $118,290 | -$31,600 (-21.1%) |
19-3032 | Industrial-Organizational Psychologists | $134,400 | N/A | N/A |
19-3033 | Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $106,850 | $93,670 | -$13,180 (-12.3%) |
19-3039 | Psychologists, All Other | $111,340 | $120,530 | +$9,190 (+8.3%) |
19-4061 | Social Science Research Assistants | $63,560 | $69,490 | +$5,930 (+9.3%) |
25-1066 | Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | $93,530 | $87,430 | -$6,100 (-6.5%) |
Security & Safety (2)
Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety
43.0103
Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration.
(PostBacCert)
Graduate Career Earnings in South Carolina
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | South Carolina Avg | SC vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
11-9199 | Managers, All Other | $149,890 | $118,290 | -$31,600 (-21.1%) |
25-1111 | Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary | $84,820 | $71,780 | -$13,040 (-15.4%) |
33-1012 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $110,990 | $71,340 | -$39,650 (-35.7%) |
43.0107
Criminal Justice/Police Science.
(Cert2y+)
Graduate Career Earnings in South Carolina
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | South Carolina Avg | SC vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
25-1111 | Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary | $84,820 | $71,780 | -$13,040 (-15.4%) |
33-3011 | Bailiffs | $62,180 | $26,120 | -$36,060 (-58%) |
33-3021 | Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $98,770 | $50,090 | -$48,680 (-49.3%) |
33-3051 | Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers | $79,320 | $46,280 | -$33,040 (-41.7%) |
33-9021 | Private Detectives and Investigators | $61,680 | $59,340 | -$2,340 (-3.8%) |
Computer & IT (1)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
11.0401
Information Science/Studies.
(Cert2y+)
Graduate Career Earnings in South Carolina
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | South Carolina Avg | SC vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
11-3021 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $187,990 | $138,200 | -$49,790 (-26.5%) |
15-1221 | Computer and Information Research Scientists | $152,310 | $118,750 | -$33,560 (-22%) |
15-1243 | Database Architects | $142,620 | $118,490 | -$24,130 (-16.9%) |
15-1252 | Software Developers | $144,570 | $140,290 | -$4,280 (-3%) |
15-1255 | Web and Digital Interface Designers | $111,450 | $81,300 | -$30,150 (-27.1%) |
15-1299 | Computer Occupations, All Other | $116,700 | $97,220 | -$19,480 (-16.7%) |
25-1021 | Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $105,830 | $66,350 | -$39,480 (-37.3%) |
Public Services (1)
Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services
44.0401
Public Administration.
(PostBacCert)
Graduate Career Earnings in South Carolina
SOC Code | Occupation | US National | South Carolina Avg | SC vs US |
---|---|---|---|---|
11-1011 | Chief Executives | $262,930 | $196,070 | -$66,860 (-25.4%) |
11-1021 | General and Operations Managers | $133,120 | $106,800 | -$26,320 (-19.8%) |
11-1031 | Legislators | $67,390 | $26,640 | -$40,750 (-60.5%) |
11-3071 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $116,010 | $106,500 | -$9,510 (-8.2%) |
11-9131 | Postmasters and Mail Superintendents | $93,760 | $97,340 | +$3,580 (+3.8%) |
11-9151 | Social and Community Service Managers | $86,100 | $68,510 | -$17,590 (-20.4%) |
11-9199 | Managers, All Other | $149,890 | $118,290 | -$31,600 (-21.1%) |
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about South University, Columbia
How much does it cost to attend South University, Columbia?
The annual tuition at South University, Columbia is $16,452 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $17,952 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $8,925 (off-campus) and books and supplies $1,500.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does South University, Columbia offer?
South University, Columbia offers 20 academic programs across 6 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Post-Master's.
Most popular program areas include:
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (9 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (3 programs)
- Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety (2 programs)
- Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity (1 programs)
- Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (1 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at South University, Columbia?
South University, Columbia provides financial aid to 4% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $9,186 and average loans of $7,043.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,614
- State/Local grants: $1,867
- Institutional grants: $4,932
- Federal loans: $7,043
The university supports 14 students with grants and 12 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for South University, Columbia graduates?
South University, Columbia graduates earn a median salary of $34,115 after 6 years and $34,421 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $17,463 (25th percentile) to $53,014 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $67,200 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
Related Universities


