
Clinton, SCprivate nonprofitpresby.edu
Presbyterian College is a small, tight-knit liberal arts school in Clinton, South Carolina, where two-thirds of students are athletes and nearly everyone lives on campus. With a 68% acceptance rate and a strong emphasis on affordability (100% of students receive financial aid), PC offers a personalized education with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio and a curriculum heavy on business, biology, and pre-professional tracks.
Presbyterian College is somewhat selective, with an Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. hovering around 68%—about 10 percentage points higher than the national average. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 987–1212 on the SAT or 21–27 on the ACT, though Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. policies apply. Notably, PC requires admitted students to withdraw applications from other colleges upon acceptance, a policy outlined in their Common Data Set (CDS)A standardized report most colleges publish each year with admissions, test-score, and financial-aid figures, making schools easier to compare.. The school does not have an open-admission policy.
PC offers 90+ majors, minors, and graduate programs, with business, biology, and education dominating student choices. The curriculum leans heavily on liberal arts fundamentals—critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving—delivered in small classes (12:1 student-faculty ratio). The college has historically punched above its weight in value rankings, including a #1 spot in College Factual’s 2013 Best Value list. Pre-professional tracks (pre-med, pre-law) are robust, and the school emphasizes 'transformative' education through hands-on learning.
Life at PC revolves around campus immersion: 89% of students live on-site, and the vibe is deeply communal, with a heavy athletic presence (65% of students are athletes). Spiritual life is active, with campus-wide worship and outreach programs, while clubs and volunteer opportunities round out the experience. Students describe the environment as 'everyone says hello'—a nod to the school’s small size (1,000 undergrads) and Presbyterian roots. The campus itself is frequently praised for its beauty and alumni engagement.
PC’s four-year graduation rate is 49%, rising to 58% at six years—slightly below national averages for private colleges. Retention is stronger, with 80% of freshmen returning for sophomore year. Median earnings for alumni a decade out hover around $60,000, though specific employment data is sparse. The school’s emphasis on pre-professional programs suggests many graduates pursue further education in law, medicine, or business.
PC guarantees scholarships for admitted students with a 3.0+ GPA, part of an aggressive affordability push. The average first-year aid package is $44,350, and 100% of students receive some form of financial assistance. Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculators suggest annual costs after aid range from $22,000–$30,000, with $27 million annually disbursed in scholarships and loans. Notably, the school meets 81% of demonstrated financial need.
PC’s small-college intensity—where athletes, future doctors, and liberal arts purists share tiny classes—is its signature. The school’s financial aid policies (100% coverage, guaranteed scholarships) make it a rare Southern liberal arts bargain, while its Presbyterian heritage infuses campus life with community service and spiritual optionality. For students seeking a close-knit, affordable college with D1 sports and pre-professional rigor, PC delivers—as long as they’re okay with saying 'hello' to everyone they pass.