A look at USC’s new school year, in 20 numbers

USC students make their way past Russell House. Gerry Melendez File photo/The State

Thursday is the first day of classes for University of South Carolina students – among them more than 5,000 freshmen.

Here’s what this year’s students and university programs look like in 20 numbers.

5,100

Estimated students in freshman class

31,000-plus

Estimated student population on Columbia campus

60

High-school valedictorians in the freshman class

5

Top five states (in order) where out-of-state freshmen hail from: North Carolina, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland and Georgia.

54

Estimated percentage of females in this year’s freshman class, which reflects a nationwide trend as more young women enroll in college

45

Estimated states (including District of Columbia) represented in freshman class

35

Estimated countries represented in freshman class

121

Estimated student-athletes in the freshman class

7,557

Students who will live on campus in USC housing and the Greek Village

441

Registered student organizations

44

Fraternities and sororities at the University of South Carolina

6,301

Fraternity and sorority members on campus

5,181

Rooms in the university’s 23 residence halls

3,933

Textbook titles being used in the fall semester

$400 million

Approximate financial aid received annually by USC students

90

Percentage of undergraduates receiving financial aid

52,000

Approximate number of devices such as cellphones, laptops, gaming stations and others that connect to the networks on campus

4,064

Wireless access points on the Columbia campus

50,000

Pounds of equipment housed in the weight room at the Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center

117,689

Pizzas ordered during the past school year

SOURCE: University of South Carolina

This story was originally published August 17, 2016 at 11:39 AM with the headline "A look at USC’s new school year, in 20 numbers."