Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Union, South Carolina
69.9% Acceptance Rate
University of South Carolina-Union — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
69.9%Acceptance Rate
3.3Avg GPA
925Avg SAT
$19,480Annual Cost
$33,699Grad Salary
11.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
69.9%
Avg GPA
3.3
Avg SAT
925
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
885–955
Avg Net Price
$11,125
Need-Based Aid
11.2% receive Pell
University of South Carolina-Union is a regional campus of the University of South Carolina that provides an accessible, high-value educational experience in a supportive, community-focused environment. Offering a variety of associate degree programs and foundational coursework, the campus allows students to begin their academic journey with the resources of a major research system. Its commitment to personalized instruction, affordability, and regional service makes it an essential resource for students looking to build a strong foundation for their future academic and career goals.
University of South Carolina-Union Acceptance Rate
University of South Carolina-Union takes a broad view of applicants, admitting about 69.9% each year.
What University of South Carolina-Union 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 — 69.9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.30 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.10 – 3.29
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.85
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of South Carolina-Union GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at University of South Carolina-Union is 3.3. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.00–3.3 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.50–3.70.University of South Carolina-Union GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context, such as leadership, personal circumstances, or a standout talent.
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
3.30 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.10 – 3.29
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.90 – 3.09
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.89
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Uniquely among Palmetto College's four regional campuses, USC Union delivers a complete four-year USC Aiken BSN on-site - no physical campus transfer required to finish the nursing degree.
- Two physical locations: the main Union campus and a separate Laurens/Clinton location, each with distinct facilities and program offerings.
- The Laurens County Future Scholarship covers all remaining tuition (after other aid) for recent Laurens County high school graduates who apply and complete the FAFSA - no separate scholarship application required.
- Varsity athletics include bass fishing and golf alongside more typical sports, offering a genuine niche recruiting opportunity.
- 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-Union
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from University of South Carolina-Union'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-Union Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at University of South Carolina-Union. 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-Union Without SAT or ACT?
University of South Carolina-Union neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average. Otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
University of South Carolina-Union Average SAT Score: 925
Admitted students at University of South Carolina-Union average a 925 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 925 — Accessible
A 925 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (955 SAT) to stand out. Below average? University of South Carolina-Union allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 885? A retake is worth it at University of South Carolina-Union. 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 | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 925 | 885 | 955 |
A score under 885 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 955+ 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 950
Can I get into University of South Carolina-Union with a 950 SAT?
At 950, your SAT is squarely in University of South Carolina-Union'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.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for University of South Carolina-Union
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
University of South Carolina-Union is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Target the Full On-Site BSN Through USC Aiken - Union's Real Point of Difference
Unlike other Palmetto College regional campuses, USC Union delivers the complete four-year USC Aiken Bachelor of Science in Nursing on-site - students don't have to physically transfer campuses to finish the nursing degree. A student committed to nursing but wanting to stay local should contact Nurse Administrator Lynn Edwards directly early in the process to plan the four-year sequence from day one.
Claim the Laurens County Future Scholarship If Locally Eligible
Recent Laurens County high school graduates attending the separate Laurens/Clinton location (600 Peachtree Street) can have all remaining tuition covered after other aid, simply by applying to USC Union and completing the FAFSA - no separate scholarship application is needed. Families in that specific service area should confirm this eligibility directly with the Laurens location before assuming standard USC Union costs apply.
Use Bass Fishing or Golf as an Uncontested Athletic Recruiting Angle
USC Union fields varsity bass fishing and golf teams alongside more typical sports - a genuine niche opportunity at a small regional campus where competition for roster spots in these sports is far lighter than at a four-year flagship. A student with real fishing or golf experience should contact the coaches directly rather than assuming only traditional sports offer a recruiting path.
Pick Coursework to Match the Specific Destination Campus
USC Union routes students toward three distinct four-year destinations depending on major: Palmetto College's own Organizational Leadership/Liberal Studies degree, USC Aiken for pre-nursing/BSN, and USC Upstate for education majors. Map the intended major to the correct destination campus's specific requirements from the first semester rather than treating the first two years as generic transfer credit.
Expert Insight:
Families sometimes assume every Palmetto College regional campus works identically to USC Salkehatchie or the others - but USC Union's on-site four-year BSN completion (via USC Aiken) is a genuine structural exception among the four regional campuses, and a family that doesn't confirm this in advance may either miss the one full nursing pathway available locally, or wrongly assume every regional campus offers the same on-site BSN completion when currently only Union does.
University of South Carolina-Union Profile
Full Name
University of South Carolina-Union
City
Union
State
South Carolina
ZIP Code
29379-0729
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-Union Degree Worth It?
Whether University of South Carolina-Union is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $43,000, and graduates see a 4.29% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from University of South Carolina-Union Cost?
Listed tuition runs $19,480/year at University of South Carolina-Union. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $11,125.
At University of South Carolina-Union, 11.2% receive a Pell Grant and 10.4% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming University of South Carolina-Union on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a University of South Carolina-Union Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, University of South Carolina-Union graduates report a median income of $33,699, somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of South Carolina-Union. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bethune-Cookman University | Daytona Beach, FL | 913 | 17 |
| Trinity College of Florida | Trinity, FL | 905 | 19 |
| Wesleyan College | Macon, GA | 905 | NA |
| Morningside University | Sioux City, IA | 910 | 17 |
| Kentucky State University | Frankfort, KY | 910 | 17 |
| Southern University at New Orleans | New Orleans, LA | 910 | 16 |
| Maine College of Health Professions | Lewiston, ME | 910 | NA |
| Mississippi Valley State University | Itta Bena, MS | 910 | 16 |
| Bennett College | Greensboro, NC | 890 | NA |
| Ohio Christian University | Circleville, OH | 910 | 16 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of South Carolina-Union. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | Pine Bluff, AR | 916 | 16 |
| Upper Iowa University | Fayette, IA | 929 | 18 |
| Bowie State University | Bowie, MD | 935 | NA |
| Washington Adventist University | Takoma Park, MD | 920 | NA |
| Virginia State University | Petersburg, VA | 917 | 17 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of South Carolina-Union. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama State University | Montgomery, AL | 977 | 18 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | 1005 | 22 |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | 985 | NA |
| Delaware State University | Dover, DE | 984 | 24 |
Degree Programs at University of South Carolina-Union
Bachelor Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About University of South Carolina-Union Admissions
University of South Carolina-Union graduates earn a lower median salary of $33,699/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at University of South Carolina-Union is relatively affordable, around $19,480/year.
11.2% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. University of South Carolina-Union skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
University of South Carolina-Union's acceptance rate is 69.9%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted University of South Carolina-Union students is 3.3, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3 puts you in the standard applicant pool at University of South Carolina-Union. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.9 or below makes admission tougher at University of South Carolina-Union, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
University of South Carolina-Union weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 925, and within the 885–955 range, keeps you competitive.
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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