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 public universities are neglecting them. 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, pressed 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.”
And the numbers back him up. This year, USC received over 60,000 applications, with 15,000 coming from South Carolina residents. Of those, 75% were directly admitted—a statistic that’s hard to ignore. But here’s where it gets interesting: another 15% of applicants, whom the university believes might struggle academically, are offered a unique opportunity. Instead of outright rejection, they’re invited to join a bridge program through a technical college or one of USC’s two-year campuses, paving a path to eventual transfer. Only 10% of in-state applicants are denied admission, and even then, it’s often because the university believes they wouldn’t succeed—not because they’re from South Carolina.
“We’re not just collecting tuition from students we know won’t make it,” Amiridis explained. “Our focus is on setting them up for success.”
Currently, USC’s enrollment in Columbia has surpassed 40,000 students, with the largest-ever freshman class of over 7,800. And this is the part most people miss: 56.3% of the student body is from South Carolina, representing every county in the state. While this percentage is slightly down from 61.8% in 2013, it’s important to note that USC enrolled nearly 10,000 fewer students back then. In other words, the university is serving more South Carolinians than ever before.
A decade ago, USC received just 10,000 applications annually. Fast forward to today, and twice as many in-state students were offered spots on the Columbia campus last year compared to that time. Scott Verzyl, USC’s vice president of enrollment, confirmed that the undergraduate class now includes a record number of South Carolinians. “So why does this public misperception persist?” Verzyl asked, clearly perplexed. “It’s a question we’re still trying to answer.”
Even when admitted, not all South Carolinians choose to attend USC. Factors like academic programs, peer influence, the desire to leave home, and financial aid play significant roles in their decisions. But here’s the controversial part: while USC gives significant preference to in-state students, only about half of out-of-state applicants are admitted—a number that’s steadily declining. “We admit every qualified South Carolina resident who applies,” Verzyl emphasized. “Out-of-state students are only accepted to meet our overall enrollment goals.”
So, is the perception of neglect justified, or is it a matter of miscommunication? What do you think? Are South Carolinians right to feel overlooked, or is USC doing more than it gets credit for? Let’s spark a conversation in the comments—we want to hear your thoughts!
