Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Columbia, South Carolina
67.3% Acceptance Rate
Benedict College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
67.3%Acceptance Rate
910Avg SAT
17Avg ACT
$29,921Annual Cost
$31,902Grad Salary
63.5%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
67.3%
Avg SAT
910
Avg ACT
17
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
820–1010
ACT Middle 50%
14–19
Need-Based Aid
63.5% receive Pell
Benedict College, established in 1870 by Bathsheba A. Benedict as a school for freed slaves, is a private historically black college in Columbia, South Carolina ranked #85 in Regional Colleges South by U.S. News. The college's 100-acre campus in the state capital features 29 buildings including the state-of-the-art Business Development Center and the Benjamin E. Mays Human Resources Center, named for its most famous president. Benedict offers 29 degree programs through five academic divisions, with particular strengths in business administration, biology, and mass communication. The college's Center for Cybersecurity Education and Research addresses critical workforce needs in this growing field.
Benedict's location provides students with unparalleled access to state government internships, Fortune 500 companies, and cultural institutions in South Carolina's capital city. The college maintains a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio and has produced numerous notable alumni including civil rights leaders, NFL players, and business executives. Benedict Tigers athletics compete in NCAA Division II and the SIAC conference. The college's long-standing partnership with the United Methodist Church informs its commitment to service learning and community engagement through programs like the annual 'Day of Service' involving the entire campus.
Benedict College Acceptance Rate
Benedict College is moderately selective. 67.3% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What Benedict College Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 67.3% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Benedict College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Benedict College follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Benedict College reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (March 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at Benedict College
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Benedict College's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
--%
Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Benedict College Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Benedict College. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Benedict College Without SAT or ACT?
Benedict College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Benedict College Average SAT Score: 910
Admitted students at Benedict College average a 910 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 910 — Accessible
A 910 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1010 SAT or 19 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Benedict College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 820? A retake is worth it at Benedict College. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 450 | 400 | 500 |
| SAT Reading | 465 | 420 | 510 |
| SAT Composite | 910 | 820 | 1010 |
A score under 820 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1010+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 900
Can I get into Benedict College with a 1000 SAT?
At 1000, your SAT is squarely in Benedict College's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Benedict College ACT Requirements
Benedict College's admitted students average an ACT of 17.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 17 — Accessible
An average of 17 means even a modest ACT score can strengthen your application.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | - | - | - |
| ACT Composite | 17 | 14 | 19 |
Can I get into Benedict College with a 19 ACT?
At 19, you're in the top quarter of Benedict College's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Benedict College weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Benedict College
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Benedict College takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Note the recent 26% tuition reduction when discussing affordability
This is a genuine, current-cycle structural change worth citing directly rather than assuming tuition figures from older sources are still accurate.
Ask about the Business Development Center if entrepreneurship interests you
This program specifically educates minority entrepreneurs - a concrete, named resource beyond a general business department.
Ask about the Money Smart program for financial literacy support
This teaches students about loans, budgeting, and credit directly - a genuine student-success resource worth asking about regardless of major.
eSports-interested applicants: confirm program and team details directly
Benedict is noted for its eSports program among its recognized offerings - ask admissions for specifics if this is a draw.
Expert Insight:
Because Benedict recently cut tuition by 26%, cost estimates from older third-party sources may be significantly out of date. Confirm current tuition and financial aid figures directly with the college rather than relying on aggregator sites that may not reflect this recent change.
Benedict College Profile
Full Name
Benedict College
City
Columbia
State
South Carolina
ZIP Code
29204-1086
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Benedict College Degree Worth It?
Whether Benedict College is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $49,300, and graduates see a 4.58% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Benedict College Cost?
Listed tuition runs $29,921/year at Benedict College. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Benedict College, 63.5% receive a Pell Grant and 67.1% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Benedict College on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Benedict College Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Benedict College graduates report a median income of $31,902, somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Benedict College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Valley State University | Fort Valley, GA | 864 | 18 |
| Bennett College | Greensboro, NC | 890 | NA |
| Virginia Union University | Richmond, VA | 860 | NA |
| Chamberlain University-Illinois | Addison, IL | 868 | 16 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Benedict College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | Pine Bluff, AR | 916 | 16 |
| Bethune-Cookman University | Daytona Beach, FL | 913 | 17 |
| Trinity College of Florida | Trinity, FL | 905 | 19 |
| Wesleyan College | Macon, GA | 905 | NA |
| Morningside University | Sioux City, IA | 910 | 17 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Benedict College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A & M University | Normal, AL | 947 | 17 |
| Alabama State University | Montgomery, AL | 977 | 18 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | 985 | NA |
| Delaware State University | Dover, DE | 984 | 24 |
Degree Programs at Benedict College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Benedict College Admissions
Benedict College graduates earn a lower median salary of $31,902/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Benedict College is relatively affordable, around $29,921/year.
63.5% of Benedict College students receive a Pell Grant, which is need-based aid you don't repay. File your FAFSA early and list Benedict College as a choice for the best shot at maximum aid.
Benedict College's acceptance rate is 67.3%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
Benedict College weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 910, and within the 820–1010 range, keeps you competitive.
Benedict College follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
Benedict College charges an application fee of 35; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before March 1, 2026. That's Benedict College's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
Explore Other Options
Acceptance Rate of all South Carolina Colleges
Average SAT Score of South Carolina Colleges
Average ACT Score
Admissions deadlines of Colleges in South Carolina
Bachelor Programs in South Carolina
Test Optional Colleges in South Carolina
SAT Score Wise Best Colleges
ACT Score Wise Best Colleges
Rolling Admissions Colleges in South Carolina