Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Columbia, South Carolina
61.5% Acceptance Rate
University of South Carolina-Columbia — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
61.5%Acceptance Rate
3.69Avg GPA
1297Avg SAT
29Avg ACT
$32,840Annual Cost
$62,177Grad Salary
19%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
61.5%
Avg GPA
3.69
Avg SAT
1297
Avg ACT
29
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1180–1380
ACT Middle 50%
26–32
Avg Net Price
$24,532
Need-Based Aid
19% receive Pell
University of South Carolina-Columbia, founded in 1801, is the flagship campus of South Carolina's university system with top-ranked international business and honors programs.
The 359-acre campus features the Darla Moore School of Business, the Honors Residence College, and the new School of Music building. Its vibrant research environment includes the Innovista research district.
University of South Carolina-Columbia Acceptance Rate
University of South Carolina-Columbia is moderately selective. 61.5% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What University of South Carolina-Columbia Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 61.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.69 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.49 – 3.68
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.24
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of South Carolina-Columbia Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark October 15 for University of South Carolina-Columbia (Early Action — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 63 days left — Early Action
Early Action
October 15
Decision by: December 15
Regular Decision
December 1
Decision by: March 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (2025/11/15 (South Carolina Honors College & Top Scholars)) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
University of South Carolina-Columbia GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at University of South Carolina-Columbia is 3.69. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.39 and 3.69? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.89–4.09.University of South Carolina-Columbia GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.69 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.49 – 3.68
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.29 – 3.48
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.28
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- General application deadline is December 1 (also the Capstone Scholars consideration deadline); Honors College application deadline is November 15, earlier than the general deadline.
- Applicants choose one essay prompt from a provided list; the essay is explicitly meant to reveal something not otherwise visible in the application.
- Some majors (e.g., Exercise Science) are not direct-admit - students must apply to a related field (like Public Health) first, then pursue the specialty.
- Recently reported acceptance rate around 60%, with Capstone Scholars averaging a 3.6 cumulative GPA once enrolled.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at University of South Carolina-Columbia
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from University of South Carolina-Columbia's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of South Carolina-Columbia Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at University of South Carolina-Columbia. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into University of South Carolina-Columbia Without SAT or ACT?
University of South Carolina-Columbia considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of South Carolina-Columbia Average SAT Score: 1297
Admitted students at University of South Carolina-Columbia average a 1297 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1297 — Slightly Competitive
A 1297 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1380 SAT or 32 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of South Carolina-Columbia allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1180? A retake is worth it at University of South Carolina-Columbia. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 635 | 580 | 690 |
| SAT Reading | 645 | 600 | 690 |
| SAT Composite | 1297 | 1180 | 1380 |
A score under 1180 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1380+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1300
Can I get into University of South Carolina-Columbia with a 1400 SAT?
At 1400, your SAT is squarely in University of South Carolina-Columbia's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
University of South Carolina-Columbia ACT Requirements
University of South Carolina-Columbia's admitted students average an ACT of 29.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 29 — Competitive
An average of 29 is a respectable, above-average national benchmark.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 27 | 24 | 29 |
| ACT English | 30 | 25 | 34 |
| ACT Composite | 29 | 26 | 32 |
Can I get into University of South Carolina-Columbia with a 32 ACT?
At 32, you're in the top quarter of University of South Carolina-Columbia's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, University of South Carolina-Columbia weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for University of South Carolina-Columbia
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
University of South Carolina-Columbia takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Understand that Capstone Scholars requires no separate application - but the deadline still matters
Capstone Scholars (a two-year academic enrichment program) is awarded automatically based on the general application and high school academic profile, with no extra essay or form - but a student must still submit the general USC application by the December 1 deadline to be considered, so missing that date forfeits Capstone consideration even though no separate form exists.
Treat the Honors College application as a genuinely separate, higher-effort track with its own deadline
Unlike Capstone, the Honors College requires opting in on the general application, completing two additional essays, and submitting a letter of recommendation, with its own November 15 deadline - students aiming for Honors need to start this well before the general December 1 deadline, not treat it as an afterthought add-on.
Prepare for a mandatory virtual interview if named a Top Scholar semifinalist
Top Scholar (the most competitive Honors tier) semifinalists are invited to a mandatory virtual interview in late January, with finalists then invited to an in-person Top Scholar Weekend in early spring - a student should know this multi-stage process exists so they aren't blindsided by a live interview request after submitting a strong written application.
Choose the essay prompt and second-major option deliberately, not as an afterthought
All applicants choose one essay prompt from a provided list regardless of application type, and can optionally select a second major to increase admission chances in competitive programs - a student unsure of their primary major, or targeting a capacity-limited program, should seriously consider the second-major option rather than leaving it blank by default.
Expert Insight:
Families sometimes assume Capstone Scholars and the Honors College are the same program with different names - they are structurally different (Capstone: automatic consideration, no extra essays, two-year program; Honors: separate application, two essays, recommendation letter, four-year track) and require different levels of proactive effort, so conflating them can mean missing the Honors application entirely while assuming Capstone consideration covers it.
University of South Carolina-Columbia Profile
Full Name
University of South Carolina-Columbia
City
Columbia
State
South Carolina
ZIP Code
29208
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a University of South Carolina-Columbia Degree Worth It?
At $32,840/year against a $62,177 median graduate salary, University of South Carolina-Columbia is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $62,200, and graduates see a 3.26% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from University of South Carolina-Columbia Cost?
Listed tuition runs $32,840/year at University of South Carolina-Columbia. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $24,532.
At University of South Carolina-Columbia, 19% receive a Pell Grant and 41.7% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming University of South Carolina-Columbia on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a University of South Carolina-Columbia Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, University of South Carolina-Columbia graduates report a median income of $62,177, about 53% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of South Carolina-Columbia. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Santa Paula, CA | 1277 | 29 |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | 1277 | 27 |
| Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | Daytona Beach, FL | 1256 | 27 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of South Carolina-Columbia. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| United States Coast Guard Academy | New London, CT | 1290 | 28 |
| University of Delaware | Newark, DE | 1297 | 29 |
| Rollins College | Winter Park, FL | 1304 | 29 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of South Carolina-Columbia. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA | 1367 | 29 |
| Westmont College | Santa Barbara, CA | 1367 | 32 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | 1353 | 31 |
Degree Programs at University of South Carolina-Columbia
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About University of South Carolina-Columbia Admissions
University of South Carolina-Columbia graduates earn a moderate median salary of $62,177/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at University of South Carolina-Columbia is moderate, around $32,840/year; many students supplement with aid.
19.0% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. University of South Carolina-Columbia skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
University of South Carolina-Columbia's acceptance rate is 61.5%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted University of South Carolina-Columbia students is 3.69, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.39 puts you in the standard applicant pool at University of South Carolina-Columbia. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.29 or below makes admission tougher at University of South Carolina-Columbia, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
University of South Carolina-Columbia weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1297, and within the 1180–1380 range, keeps you competitive.
University of South Carolina-Columbia's deadline is October 15 (Early Action), with decisions out by December 15.
University of South Carolina-Columbia charges an application fee of 70; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before 2025/11/15 (South Carolina Honors College & Top Scholars). That's University of South Carolina-Columbia's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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