1600 Harden Street
Columbia, SC 29204
Founded in 1870 by a woman, Bathsheba A. Benedict, Benedict College is a private co-educational
liberal arts institution with over 2,100 students enrolled in its 24 baccalaureate degree programs
and 1 masters degree program.
Applications Accepted: Institutional App, Common Black College Application
Do you require test scores for the Class of 2022? No, we are test optional
Admissions policies for Undocumented and DACA Students:Benedict College will admit undocumented and DACA students who meet admissions requirements. Benedict College provides limited financial assistance to DACA students.
Forms Required: FAFSA
Do you meet full need? No
Benedict College assists students financially with a TAG (Tuition Assistance Grant) if they have exhausted all other aid. This assistance helps to bridge the gap and is done on a case-by-case basis.
The College made front-page news in the spring of 2018 when it became the first South Carolina college to lower its tuition by 26 percent. Cutting tuition drew praise from the Commission on Higher Education, South Carolina’s education oversight body. The commissioner noted that the move Benedict College made should be applauded because it offers families affordability and students greater access to higher education.
Additional Info: Benedict College offers a robust financial aid package in conjunction with federal funds and merit scholarships.
Student Experience
Average Class Size: 19:1 Student to faculty ratio
Retention Rate (percentage of students who return for year two): 80%
Majors: Click Here
Other Information: In 2019, Benedict College received the 2019 ACE/ Fidelity Investments Awards for Institutional Transformation and was named the HBCU of the Year by HBCU Digest. New majors include Cybersecurity and Esports Administration.
Student Population
2,100 Undergraduate Students
90%-Black
10%-Other and International
