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South University-Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina · Private for-profit university · Training programs available:
Address: 9 Science Court, Columbia, SC 29203 · Phone: (803) 799-9082 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
Sanction on record, not yet lifted — Mar 2024 · Other · American Occupational Therapy Association.
South University-Columbia is a private for-profit trade school in Columbia, SC offering medical assistant programs, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, graduates of South University-Columbia carry a median debt of $26,123 and earn a median of $34,421 ten years after entry; completion rate comparison to the state average of 52.0% is not reported for this campus.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for South University-Columbia; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid can be used here, and about 58.0% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical assistants | $34,730 | $41,160 | $46,950 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in South Carolina (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 12 | $39,095 | $43,489 | $23,000 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 8 | $39,095 | $43,489 | $23,000 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 1 | $39,095 | $43,489 | $23,000 |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
South University-Columbia is a private for-profit trade and career school located in Columbia, South Carolina, in a large suburb setting. The campus is accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association's Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education and by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and federal financial aid such as FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used here (Title IV eligible). The campus offers 3 programs, with medical assistant programs as its top program area, having produced 21 completers among an undergraduate enrollment of about 450 students.
Federal data shows the state average completion rate is 52.0%, though this campus's own completion rate relative to that average is not reported for this campus in federal data. Graduates who took out loans carried a median debt of $26,123, and median earnings 10 years after entry were reported at $34,421. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 58.0% of students at this campus receive Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of the student body qualifies for need-based federal aid.
This campus may suit students pursuing a focused medical assistant program, though specific program length and schedule details are not reported for this campus in federal data and should be confirmed directly with the school. Prospective students, including adult career-changers, should verify current accreditation status, program offerings, and outcomes by contacting South University-Columbia directly or by reviewing its official U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard listing before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
South University-Columbia offers 3 programs in total, with medical assistant programs being the top program area, having produced 21 completers.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association's Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education and by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this campus is Title IV eligible, meaning students can use federal financial aid such as FAFSA and Pell Grants. About 58.0% of students at this campus receive Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The state average completion rate is 52.0%, but this campus's specific completion rate and its comparison to the state average are not reported for this campus in federal data.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates of this campus carry a median debt of $26,123, per federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry for this campus are reported at $34,421.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
South University-Columbia is a private for-profit institution, which can affect tuition pricing, financial aid packaging, and ownership structure compared to public or non-profit schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (803) 799-9082 or visit its website to confirm program duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation status and review federal outcome data directly through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?251312.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
Specific fit for adult career-changers, such as flexible scheduling or program length, is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly to discuss options.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing or certification requirements after completing a program are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school for details specific to medical assistant programs.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can contact South University-Columbia at (803) 799-9082 or visit its website at https://www.southuniversity.edu/columbia#location=Columbia, SC to learn about applying.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data against other nearby schools is not reported for this campus in federal data; consult the College Scorecard to compare institutions directly.
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See all trade and career schools in South Carolina or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.