COL (Ret.) Alexander Conyers President | South Carolina State University
COL (Ret.) Alexander Conyers President | South Carolina State University
Data shows that students paid $12,114 on average to attend higher education courses at the time, $81 more than the previous school year.
Among the four institutions in the county, Claflin University stood out with the highest tuition fees, reaching an average of $17,046. The Barber Tech Academy followed with an average of $16,825 per year. Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College students were offered the lowest annual tuition fees at $6,016.
At the time, a total of $15.4 million in grants or scholarships were awarded to full-time undergraduates who started at the Orangeburg County universities in the 2022-23 school year. Additionally, federal student loans reached $5.9 million.
Currently there are four higher education institutions in Orangeburg County, including Claflin University, South Carolina State University, and Barber Tech Academy.
Undergraduate education costs have seen a significant increase over the past few decades. Data shows a 169% rise in the average total cost, including tuition, fees, room, and board, between 1980 and 2020.
According to a 2023 College Board report, in-state students at public universities paid an average of $11,260, while out-of-state students paid $29,150 in the 2023-24 academic year.
Meanwhile, student loan debt has steadily increased over the last 30 years, reaching $1.75 trillion in 2024, averaging a total of $28,950 per borrower. Federal loans make up 92% of the debt, with over half of students at both public and private four-year colleges graduating with student loans.
Available data sometimes exceeds 100% due to rounding and administrative calculations.
| Institution | Number of Students Receiving Grants | Total Amount of Grants Received | Average Amount of Grant Per Student | Number of Students Receiving Loans | Total Amount of Loans Received | Average Amount of Loans Per Student |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina State University | 767 | $9,303,949 | $12,130 | 578 | $3,876,130 | $6,706 |
| Claflin University | 378 | $4,651,725 | $12,306 | 280 | $1,917,682 | $6,849 |
| Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College | 169 | $1,375,140 | $8,137 | 7 | $22,223 | $3,175 |
| Barber Tech Academy | 11 | $74,583 | $6,780 | 11 | $95,274 | $8,661 |
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