South Carolina Commission on Higher Education’s 2024 Statistical Abstract provides detailed look at higher ed trends and data in SC

The publication includes data through the end of the 2023-2024 academic year and covers a range of subjects, from enrollment and degrees awarded to state-funded sources of financial aid and beyond. This is the 46th year of the abstract, which is intended to help support understanding of postsecondary trends in South Carolina.

“This year’s Statistical Abstract is an essential resource for anyone seeking to understand the landscape of higher education in South Carolina,” said Dr. Jeff Perez, president and executive director of the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. “The data provide critical insights into enrollment, degrees awarded, and financial aid trends—key indicators of how our institutions are driving access, affordability, and attainment across the state.”

Key Takeaways:

• South Carolina’s commitment to higher education reached a new milestone for Fiscal Year 2023-24, exceeding $1B in state appropriations to public colleges and universities for the first time.
• Total headcount enrollment increased 2.5 percent (238,182 in fall 2023 to 244,142 in fall 2024).
• 59,956 total degrees were awarded during the 2022-23 fiscal year, a 7.4 percent increase from the previous year total of 55,838. 26,588 of these were bachelor’s degrees, 22,583 were other undergraduate level degrees, and 10,785 were graduate level degrees.
• Business, management, marketing and related support services remained the most popular academic discipline, followed by health professions and related programs.

South Carolina awarded a total of $431,299,814 in scholarship money during the 2023-24 academic year, a 1.2 percent increase from $426,013,906 in 2022-23. Funding amounts through the five main scholarships were:

• $207,636,046 awarded through LIFE scholarships
• $70,893,464 through Palmetto Fellows scholarships
• $52,174,241 through Lottery Tuition Assistance$88,089,385 through Need-based Grants
• $12,506,678 through HOPE scholarships

The CHE’s Statistical Abstract is published annually and is the result of collaboration with institutions’ data representatives and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). The Statistical Abstract is available for download on the CHE website.