Factbook

UNIVERSITY MISSION
The University of South Carolina Aiken is a regional public comprehensive university that cultivates a diverse population of engaged citizens who provide lifelong contributions in their careers and communities. Our dedicated faculty, staff, and industry partners guide undergraduate and graduate students through a transformative educational journey that uses engaged, accessible teaching and learning practices to blend the liberal arts, sciences, and professional disciplines with research and experiential opportunities that are aligned with economic and societal needs. We are a center for innovation that serves the region through entrepreneurial partnerships, public service, community leadership, relevant research, educational outreach, the visual and performing arts, and intercollegiate athletics.

UNIVERSITY VALUES

• 1. Character: We value integrity, honesty, and accountability. We encourage initiative and take pride in hard work and accomplishment.
• 2. Citizenship: We value the rights and responsibilities associated with membership in a community. We embrace efforts to work for the common good and opportunities to enrich the lives of all community members.
• 3. Curiosity: We value and embrace life-long learning and inquisitive pursuits. To that end, we endeavor to impart knowledge, skills, and wisdom in a high-quality learning environment.
• 4. Collegiality: We value a nurturing community where people support one another, embrace diversity, and encourage mutual respect.

ADMINISTRATION
Daniel J. Heimmermann, Ph.D., Chancellor
Phillip Bridgmon, Ph.D., Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost
Mary Driscoll, B.A., Vice Chancellor for University Advancement
Christen Engel, M.Ed., Vice Chancellor for Marketing and Communication
Ernest M. Pringle, M.P.A., Vice Chancellor for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer
C. Cameron Reagin, M.B.A., Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officier
Ahmed Samaha, A.B.D., Vice Chancellor for Student Engagement and Belonging
Todd Wilkinson, M.A., Director of Athletics

ACADEMIC UNITS
College of Science and Engineering Scott E. McKay, Ph.D., Dean
College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Forrest Anderson, Ph.D., Dean
School of Business Administration Nancy D. Albers, Ph.D., Dean
School of Education Judy A. Beck, Ph.D., Dean
School of Nursing Katie A. Chargualaf, Ph.D., Dean
Gregg-Graniteville Library Lisa A. Ennis, Dr.PH., Dean

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Certificate in Cloud Computing & Security
Certificate in Cybersecurity
Certificate in Data Science
Certificate in Network Security & Information Technology
Certificate in Real Estate
Certificate in Spanish for the Clinical Encounter
Certificate in Strategic Communication
Bachelor of Arts (Art)
Bahcelor of Arts (Biology)
Bachelor of Arts (Communication)
Bachelor of Arts (Emerging Media)
Bachelor of Arts (English)
Bachelor of Arts (History)
Bachelor of Arts (Liberal Studies)
Bachelor of Arts (Music)
Bachelor of Arts (Political Science)
Bachelor of Arts (Sociology)
Bachelor of Arts (Spanish)
Bachelor of Arts (Theatre)
Bachelor of Arts in Education (Early Childhood Education)
Bachelor of Arts in Education (Elementary Education)
Bachelor of Arts in Education (Middle Level Education)

ACCEPTANCE & YIELD RATES
Admissions metrics are based upon Fall data. While there are some new students that start in the spring term, it is traditional to report admissions data for students who start at the beginning of the academic year. If a new student starts early (e.g., in the summer) they are included in the admissions metrics, provided they are still enrolled in the Fall. Admissions metrics for the incoming Fall 2024 Freshman cohort are provided below. Other applicant cohorts include transfer, high school concurrent, graduate, readmit, and nondegree seeking students. Acceptance rates show the percentage of applicants that are admitted. Yield rates represent the percentage of admitted applicants that matriculate to an enrolled status.

Status			Acceptance Rate	Yield Rate
Applied	Admitted	Enrolled
3005	2360	666	79%	28%

ADMISSIONS SCORES
While not required, the University considers standardized test scores if they are submitted when making an admittance decision. In the Fall of 2024, SAT and ACT scores were used in the admissions decision for 23% and 14%, respectively, of the incoming freshman class. Median scores were:

• SAT Evidence-Based Reading & Writing: 580
• SAT Math: 540
• ACT Composite: 22
• ACT English: 21
• ACT Math: 22

ORIGINS OF MATRICULATED STUDENTS
For the 2024 Freshman cohort, the top five contributing states and counties whence the students applied were:

• Top States of Origin
• South Carolina
• Georgia
• Florida
• Ohio
• North Carolina

ENROLLMENT HEADCOUNT
Students at the University of South Carolina Aiken are admitted on a continuous basis with new classes starting approximately every 8 weeks. Students can move between full-time and part-time status as they withdraw from and add classes. To facilitate comparisons among institutions given dynamic enrollment figures throughout the year, official counts are made on a freeze date that is set for each semester. For 2024, official freeze dates were March 14th, July 10th, and October 24th for the Spring, Summer, and Fall semesters, respectively.

Student Body	Semester	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024
Undergraduate	Spring	2,821	2,810	2,696	2,721	2,742
	Summer	876	933	940	906	849
	Fall	3,284	3,090	3,133	3,104	3,287
Graduate	Spring	504	897	835	731	751
	Summer	377	653	641	599	658
	Fall	662	762	692	744	731

FALL 2024 STUDENT BODY RACIAL DEMOGRAPHICS
The University subscribes to the view that having a student body consisting of individuals from various cultural backgrounds, beliefs, and perspectives enhances the educational experience and prepares studens to be engaed citizens who provide lifelong contributions in their careers and communities. Education, at its core, involves thinking about issues in new ways, becoming adaptable, and being able to critically evaluate information. Having diverse teams of students and teachers can enhance the quality of discussions, creativity, problem-solving, and performance.

Race & Ethnicity	Undergraduate	Graduate	Total
American Indian or Alaska Native	6	1	7
Asian	53	24	77
Black or African American	709	179	888
Hispanic	320	45	365
Pacific Islander	1	-	1
Non-resident Alien	60	21	81
Race/Ethnicity Unknown	18	5	23
Two or More Races	212	30	242
White	1,910	428	2,338
Total	3,289	733	4,022

FALL 2024 ENROLLMENT STATUS AND GENDER DEMOGRAPHICS
The undergraduate and graduate student populations at the Universiy of South Carolina Aiken are predominantly female. For every male within the student body, there are approximately two females; and this is true regardless of the degree level or enrollment status. This demographic characteristic of the student body aligns with national trends where young women are more likely to be enrolled in college and to complete a four-year college degree.

Gender	Status	Degree Level		Total
		Undergraduate	Graduate
Male	Full Time	1,054	55	1,109
	Part Time	222	194	416
	Subtotal	1,276	249	1,525
Female	Full Time	1,587	112	1,699
	Part Time	426	372	798
	Subtotal	2,013	484	2,497
Total		3,289	733	4,022

FTE ENROLLMENT
Full-time undergraduate students are enrolled in a minimum of 12 semester hours and full-time graduate students are enrolled in a minimum of 9 semester hours. Credit hours taken by part-time students below these minimum values, are summed and divided by 12 or 9 for undergraduate and graduate students respectively, to generate a full-time equivalent value that is added to the count of full-time students. This FTE enrollment metric is used for planning and budgetary decisions. FTE enrollments on the official freeze date of each semester are provided below.

Student Body	Semester	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024
Undergraduate	Spring	2,501	2,419	2,352	2,343	2,397
	Summer	393	418	410	418	353
	Fall	2,800	2,647	2,675	2,665	2,852
Graduate	Spring	210	422	398	342	350
	Summer	153	309	287	250	262
	Fall	309	371	342	339	364

RP&G METRICS
Entering freshman students are tracked upon being admiited to the University to determine time to completion. While the university offers academic and student support to faciliate completion of degrees within the expected duration of 4 years, events such as change in major, dropped classes, taking a smester off or dropping to a part-time status, and life events can result in degrees running longer than expected. Entering cohorts may be adjusted to account for events such as death, permanent disability, service in the armed forces, foreign aid or missions related service. The institution has set a target of having students complete their degree requirements within six years. Transfer outs to other institutions and attrition rates are noted.

Outcome		Adjusted Cohort Tracked over Six Years
		2014-20 (N=594)	2015-21 (N=583)	2016-22 (N=616)	2017-23 (N=566)	2018-24 (N=542)
Completion	n	244	250	261	227	216
	%	41%	43%	42%	40%	40%
Still Enrolled	n	17	17	9	11	17
	%	3%	3%	2%	2%	3%
Transfer Out	n	259	225	245	220	193
	%	44%	38%	40%	39%	36%
Attrition	n	74	91	101	108	116
	%	12%	16%	16%	19%	21%

DEGREES AWARDED
The University of South Carolina Aiken awards certificates, baccalaureates, and masters degrees. Degrees awarded are noted by fiscal year which starts July 1st.

Award	Fiscal Year
	2019-20	2020-21	2021-22	2022-23	2023-24
Certificates	---	---	---	---	15
Bachelors	571	602	549	570	607
Masters	70	114	261	244	224
Total	641	716	810	814	846