Benedict College Enrolled Majority-Male Incoming Class

For the second consecutive year, male students have made up a majority of the incoming class in Columbia.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in College Applications

Bold vector editorial illustration of a university brick archway and an empty journal on a stone bench, evoking academic growth. — Benedict College in Columbia reported that men comprised 53 percent of its 731 new traditional undergraduates for the Fall 2026 semester. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Benedict College in Columbia has enrolled a majority-male incoming class for the second consecutive year. Data from Fall 2026 shows men comprised 53 percent of the 731 new traditional undergraduates.

Why it matters

The college aims to expand educational opportunities and leadership development for its students through intentional outreach and support networks. This growth in incoming enrollment marks the largest class of traditional undergraduates at the institution since 2019.

The Fall 2026 class includes 731 new traditional undergraduates, the highest total since 2019. Nationally, men represented 42 percent of undergraduates in 2024, compared to the 53 percent male composition seen at this Columbia institution.

The players

Benedict College

This is a private liberal arts college located in Columbia, South Carolina, that is historically Black.

The details

The institution achieved these enrollment figures by implementing targeted outreach through schools, churches, and mentorship programs. This strategy pairs active recruitment with academic support and leadership development initiatives designed to serve students.

In 1976, Black men accounted for 38 percent of students at HBCUs.
The institution last saw a larger undergraduate class in 2019.
In 2022, Black men made up 26 percent of students at HBCUs.
Men made up 54 percent of the incoming class in Fall 2025.
Men made up 53 percent of the incoming class in Fall 2026.

Culture Shift

The college's focus on male enrollment counters the national 2022 college enrollment rate for Black males aged 18 to 24 of 32 percent. This development reflects a specific institutional effort to reverse long-term shifts in demographic representation at higher education facilities.

Students and prospective families in Columbia may see increased activity from the college's outreach and mentorship programs in local high schools and churches. These initiatives prioritize direct engagement with potential applicants to boost enrollment and support academic success.

The takeaway

Benedict College continues to prioritize male recruitment to foster leadership and service among its student body. Implementing mentorship and support networks remains a central strategy for institutions seeking to influence undergraduate demographics.