The S.C. Commission on Higher Education’s 2026 Statistical Abstract shows enrollment, resident student numbers and state financial aid all grew over the past year.
More than 258,000 students enrolled in South Carolina colleges and universities during the 2025-26 academic year, a 2.3% increase from the prior year, according to the S.C. Commission on Higher Education’s 2026 Statistical Abstract.
The annual report, released Monday, found enrollment reached 258,027 students in Fall 2025, up 5,896 students from Fall 2024. South Carolina resident enrollment climbed 3.1% to 191,642 students.
First-time undergraduate enrollment rose 3% to 48,877 students, while 26,793 high school students took college courses, a 5.1% increase, according to the commission.
CHE President and Executive Director Dr. Jeffrey Perez said the growth reflects positive momentum. “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,” Perez said. “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 state awarded $464.4 million through its five main scholarship and grant programs in 2025-26, an increase of about $31 million, or 7.2%, from the previous year. LIFE Scholarships accounted for $233.5 million, up $16.3 million, while Need-based Grants totaled $93.6 million, up nearly $7 million. Palmetto Fellows Scholarships provided $75 million, Lottery Tuition Assistance provided $49.1 million, and HOPE Scholarships provided $13.2 million.
South Carolina institutions awarded 62,709 degrees during the 2024-25 fiscal year, including 27,807 bachelor’s degrees, 24,188 other undergraduate-level degrees and 10,714 graduate-level degrees, according to the commission.
The Statistical Abstract draws on data from South Carolina colleges and universities and the federal Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, according to CHE.
Based on a release from S.C. Commission on Higher Education.
Source: S.C. Commission on Higher Education original release.
