More USCA students choosing humanities, social sciences majors

This fall, across campus, USCA has seen a historic 5 percent increase in enrollment. One college in particular has experienced significant growth in the number of applications received.

On average, the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences has seen a 67 percent increase in applications, with some majors enjoying even more than that. For instance, applications to the political science program are up 350 percent.

In addition to political science, the following majors have seen an increase in applications for the 2025-2026 academic year:

• English, 250 percent
• Art, 200 percent
• Creative Writing, 167 percent
• Sociology, 117 percent
• Communication, 85 percent
• Sociology, with a concentration in criminology and criminal justice, 80 percent
• History, 75 percent
• Spanish, with a concentration in translation and interpretation, 50 percent
• Art, with a concentration in graphic design 46 percent
• Art, with a concentration in studio and digital art, 46 percent

“High school students are savvy and concerned about their future. They see how technology and artificial intelligence are thinning entry-level jobs in technical fields. The nature of work is changing, and students are thinking about what sort of skills will be required to obtain a well-paid job,” said Dr. Forrest Anderson, dean of the CAHSS.

USCA’s strategic plan outlines how the university focuses on providing a relevant and flexible curriculum and addressing the employment needs of the region.

“Employers are looking for graduates who are adept at critical thinking and the habit of rational analysis and judgment. In 2024, PricewaterhouseCoopers conducted a ‘Global Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey’ that surveyed 54,000 workers across 46 countries and territories. A significant majority believe that skills such as being adaptable, collaboration, and leadership are critical for their future career paths,” Anderson said.

“These capacities — including creativity — are the strengths of programs in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Our faculty provide students with a durable set of skills that prepare them for both current opportunities and careers yet to be created, ensuring they remain adaptable and valuable throughout their professional lives.”

The College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences offers undergraduate programs in communication and emerging media; English; languages, literatures and cultures; history, political science and philosophy; sociology; and visual and performing arts. In addition, students can select a variety of academic minors and workforce certificates.

The curriculum includes engaging experiences that enhance classroom learning. These include internships, undergraduate research opportunities — many of which are funded through grants — and study abroad courses. For example, during the spring, professors will lead students through study opportunities in Spain, Scotland and Japan. And, students can submit their original works to “Broken Ink” for publication.

“The faculty in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences pride themselves on providing an education rich in personal attention. We listen to students' hopes and dreams and respond by designing classes that advance their goals, minors that align with their interests, and certificate programs that enhance resumes. We’re constantly evolving to meet students where they are.”

While the faculty commitment to student success and the educational experiences are reasons some students choose USCA, others decide to attend the university because of the small classes. Currently the student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1.

“The professors here are outstanding. You can tell they genuinely care about their students' academic and personal goals. They have always been willing to help with anything I have needed. I believe the smaller campus allows people to bond with each other and connect in a way that a larger campus does not allow for,” said Presley Bell, a communication major from Barnwell, South Carolina.

Affordable tuition and financial aid are among other reasons some students choose USCA. The university’s tuition rates are well below the national average and have not increased in almost 10 years. More than 30% of undergraduate students receive full tuition support, and in recent years, more than 40 percent complete their degrees debt-free from USCA thanks to scholarships and financial aid.

This academic year, USCA has experienced an almost 33 percent growth in new transfer students, near 17 percent increase in graduate students and a 5 percent increase in continuing undergraduate students.

Looking ahead to fall 2026, USCA’s admissions team has already received more applications than this time last year. To date, more than 1,600 freshman applications have been received. Of those, 1,000 have been admitted. The student population includes those from almost 40 states and more than 20 countries. Enrollment has continued to trend upward in recent years.

“USCA has helped me in so many ways. If I had to redo my college experience, I would not change a thing,” said Bell, USCA ’26.

“This university has meant so much to me and will forever hold a special place in my heart, even after graduation.”

The USCA website provides more information on how to apply, degree programs available, student life and financial aid.

For more information, contact USCA Marketing & Communication at news@usca.edu.