2026 Statistical Abstract: SC college enrollment continues growth, tops 258,000 in 2025

More South Carolinians attended college and accessed state financial aid in 2025 than the year before, according to CHE’s 2026 Statistical Abstract which was released today.

Enrollment at South Carolina colleges and universities reached more than 258,000 students in academic year 2025-26, up 2.3% from the previous year. South Carolina resident enrollment, first-time undergraduate enrollment and high school students taking college courses also increased.

“The overall enrollment growth trend since COVID is an encouraging sign, particularly as we see increases among South Carolina residents, first-time undergraduates and high school students getting an early start on college,” said CHE President and Executive Director Dr. Jeffrey Perez. “These trends reinforce the effectiveness of the ongoing collaborations between higher education, state government and K-12 to provide South Carolinians the educational opportunities they need to achieve their goals and contribute to our state’s future.”

The annual publication provides a detailed collection of data across South Carolina’s system of postsecondary education, which is made available by CHE to provide policymakers, institutions, researchers and the public with a broad view of statewide postsecondary trends. Data highlights from the academic year include:

Enrollment

258,027 students were enrolled in South Carolina institutions of higher education during Fall 2025, an increase of 5,896 students, or 2.3%, from Fall 2024.
191,642 South Carolina residents were enrolled, an increase of 5,801 students, or 3.1%.
48,877 first-time undergraduate students were enrolled, an increase of 1,441 students, or 3.0%.
26,793 high school students were taking college courses, an increase of 1,299 students, or 5.1%.

State-funded scholarships and grants

South Carolina awarded $464.4 million through the state’s five primary scholarship and grant programs during the 2025-26 academic year, an increase of approximately $31 million, or 7.2%, from the previous year.

$233.5 million was awarded through LIFE Scholarships, an increase of $16.3 million.
$93.6 million was awarded through Need-based Grants, an increase of nearly $7 million.
$75 million was awarded through Palmetto Fellows Scholarships.
$49.1 million was awarded through Lottery Tuition Assistance.
$13.2 million was awarded through HOPE Scholarships.

Degrees awarded

South Carolina institutions awarded 62,709 degrees during the 2024-25 fiscal year.

27,807 were bachelor’s degrees.
24,188 were other undergraduate-level degrees.
10,714 were graduate-level degrees.

This year marks the earliest availability date on record for the publication, due in part to upgrades within the CHE Management Information System (CHEMIS) which have improved functionality and collaboration.

The Statistical Abstract is made possible through data provided by South Carolina colleges and universities and the federal Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).

View the 2026 Statistical Abstract

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