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Benedict College

Columbia, SC·Private·www.benedict.edu/

Campus Identity

HBCUNCAA D2Greek LifeGraduate Programs

Benedict College is a small private nonprofit university in Columbia, SC. Approximately 1,536 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 96% acceptance rate. Lake Murray is about 12 miles from campus. Benedict College is a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). CollegeCove's campus safety score is 56/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

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At a Glance

Benedict College is a small private nonprofit university in Columbia, SC. Approximately 1,536 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 96% acceptance rate. Lake Murray is about 12 miles from campus. Benedict College is a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). CollegeCove's campus safety score is 56/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

96%
Acceptance Rate
5,098 applications
Test Optional
Test Policy
No test scores required
$17,440
2024-25 Tuition
$18,250
Avg Net Price
What students actually pay
$7,146
Room & Board
1,536
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
8%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
24%
Graduation Rate
Within 150% of normal time
Selectivity96% · Open
Highly SelectiveOpen

This school does not require standardized test scores for admission. SAT and ACT submissions are optional.

Campus Lifestyle

Benedict College is a 1,000–4,999, urban school with NCAA D2 athletics and an active Greek scene. The campus is 139 miles from Sapphire Valley Ski Area.

Athletics

NCAA D2

Southern Intercol. Ath. Conf.

Greek Life

Active Organizations

Fraternities & sororities present

School Size & Setting

1,000–4,999

Urban setting

Ski Access

139 miles

Sapphire Valley Ski Area

Weather

Warm Climate

61°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

Benedict College students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Sapphire Valley Ski Area, 139 miles away with 3 lifts and 8 skiable acres. All are within 154 miles of campus.

139 mi away
8 skiable acres3 lifts
Wolf Ridge Ski Resort

North Carolina

152 mi away
65 skiable acres4 lifts
Appalachian Ski Mtn.

North Carolina

154 mi away
27 skiable acres6 lifts

Nearby Lake

Lake Murray is 12 miles from campus, giving Benedict College students access to boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation.

Lake Murray

Lake access within 12.0 miles

12 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Columbia, SC

Columbia has a warm climate, with winters averaging 48°F in Jan and summers peaking around 84°F in Jul.

48°Jan52°Feb59°Mar67°Apr75°May81°Jun84°Jul82°Aug77°Sep67°Oct57°Nov50°Dec

Station: COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY OF SC · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

Benedict College in SC earns a composite safety score of 56/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.

56/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety635045
63/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
50/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
45/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.

Tuition
$17,440
Fees
$2,600
Room & Board
$7,146
Total
$27,186
App Fee: $25
$18,250avg net price / year

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Calculate your personalized net price

Fields of Study

44 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Biology, GeneralBachelor's
53 grads/yr$36,966
Business Administration, Management and OperationsBachelor's
38 grads/yr$41,811
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessBachelor's
35 grads/yr
Criminal Justice and CorrectionsBachelor's
28 grads/yr$39,337
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsBachelor's
24 grads/yr

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Business Administration, Management and Operations
Bachelor's38 grads$41,811
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies
Bachelor's grads$41,372
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
Bachelor's grads$41,158
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Bachelor's28 grads$39,337
Communication and Media Studies
Bachelor's21 grads$37,638
Biology, General
Bachelor's53 grads$36,966
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
Bachelor's1 grads$34,129
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
Bachelor's35 grads
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
Bachelor's24 grads
Psychology, General
Bachelor's20 grads

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Benedict College located?

Benedict College is located in Columbia, SC. The main campus address is 1600 Harden Street, Columbia, SC. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Benedict College?

Benedict College has an acceptance rate of 96%, making it accessible. Out of 5,098 applicants, 4,879 were admitted in the most recent year. 1,536 students enrolled.

How much does it cost to attend Benedict College?

For the 2024-25 academic year, Benedict College charges $17,440/year in tuition. Including room and board ($7,146/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $17,200/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $18,250/year — what students actually pay. Use Benedict College's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for Benedict College?

The undergraduate application fee at Benedict College is $25. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Does Benedict College have college sports?

Yes — Benedict College competes at the NCAA D2 level in the Southern Intercol. Ath. Conf.. Division II programs offer athletic scholarships and competitive sports programs while balancing academics and athletics.

Is Benedict College an HBCU?

Yes, Benedict College is a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). HBCUs were established primarily to serve Black Americans and have a rich history of academic excellence, cultural significance, and community impact. Benedict College remains an important institution for higher education and Black culture.

Is Benedict College the right fit for me?

Whether Benedict College is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (96% admit rate), avg net price ($18,250/year after aid), campus culture in Columbia, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Benedict College against similar schools side-by-side.

Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Benedict College directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

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Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Columbia, SC
Size
1,000–4,999
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's, Master's
HBCU
Yes
NCAA
NCAA D2
Conference
Southern Intercol. Ath. Conf.
School Year Weather
Warm · 61°F avg
App Fee
$25
On Campus Safety Score
56/100
Nearest Airport
Columbia, SC (CUB) · 3 mialso CAE (8 mi), MMT (14 mi)

Location

Columbia, SC

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.