Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Spartanburg, South Carolina
69.6% Acceptance Rate
University of South Carolina-Upstate — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
69.6%Acceptance Rate
2.53Avg GPA
1082Avg SAT
22Avg ACT
$24,565Annual Cost
$48,587Grad Salary
45.5%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
69.6%
Avg GPA
2.53
Avg SAT
1082
Avg ACT
22
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1000–1170
ACT Middle 50%
19–25
Avg Net Price
$13,725
Need-Based Aid
45.5% receive Pell
University of South Carolina-Upstate is a public, regional comprehensive university known for its commitment to academic excellence, community service, and professional preparation. Offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, the university provides a supportive and engaging campus environment that fosters critical thinking and student success. Its focus on accessibility and regional impact makes it a reliable and high-value choice for students aiming to reach their academic and professional potential.
University of South Carolina-Upstate Acceptance Rate
University of South Carolina-Upstate takes a broad view of applicants, admitting about 69.6% each year.
What University of South Carolina-Upstate 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 — 69.6% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
2.53 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.33 – 2.52
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.08
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of South Carolina-Upstate GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at University of South Carolina-Upstate is 2.53. That makes admissions here less selective on GPA specifically. Most admitted students carry a mix of B's and C's.
A solid SAT or ACT score is the fastest way to strengthen an application in this range.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 2.73–2.93.Check Your Admission Chances at University of South Carolina-Upstate
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of South Carolina-Upstate's verified institutional data
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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-Upstate Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if University of South Carolina-Upstate is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into University of South Carolina-Upstate Without SAT or ACT?
University of South Carolina-Upstate considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of South Carolina-Upstate Average SAT Score: 1082
The average SAT score of admitted students at University of South Carolina-Upstate is 1082 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1082 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1170 SAT or 25 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of South Carolina-Upstate allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1000, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at University of South Carolina-Upstate. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 525 | 490 | 560 |
| SAT Reading | 560 | 510 | 610 |
| SAT Composite | 1082 | 1000 | 1170 |
Below 1000, you're behind most admitted students; at 1170 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into University of South Carolina-Upstate with a 1150 SAT?
A 1150 SAT puts you ahead of most of University of South Carolina-Upstate's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
University of South Carolina-Upstate ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at University of South Carolina-Upstate is 22.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 22 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 20 | 16 | 24 |
| ACT English | 21 | 18 | 24 |
| ACT Composite | 22 | 19 | 25 |
Can I get into University of South Carolina-Upstate with a 25 ACT?
A 25 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of University of South Carolina-Upstate's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at University of South Carolina-Upstate.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for University of South Carolina-Upstate
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
University of South Carolina-Upstate is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Target the Mary Black College of Nursing's NCLEX Track Record Directly
USC Upstate's nursing program posted a 100% first-time NCLEX pass rate in 2024 with strong placement into Prisma Health and Spartanburg Regional systems - nursing applicants should cite this specific outcome data in any admissions conversation or scholarship essay, since it's a genuinely differentiating, verifiable stat rather than generic "great nursing program" language.
Consider the Newly Launched Engineering and Sports Management Majors
USC Upstate recently launched engineering and sports management as new majors aligned with the Upstate region's economic growth - applicants interested in these fields should ask specifically how new the program is, what accreditation timeline applies, and what industry partnerships (given the region's manufacturing and BMW/automotive presence) support it, since "newly launched" programs often have evolving resources worth clarifying before enrolling.
Use the Informatics Program as a Distinctive Regional Niche
USC Upstate has offered a Master's in Informatics since 2013, with undergraduate pathways feeding into it - this is a less common undergraduate-to-graduate pipeline than at many regional universities; students interested in health IT or data-adjacent careers should ask specifically about the informatics track's connection to regional healthcare employers.
Leverage the University Center of Greenville for Location Flexibility
USC Upstate operates a second site at the University Center of Greenville (UCG), a consortium of seven institutions - students who want Upstate SC access but prefer a Greenville-based schedule over Spartanburg should ask specifically which majors and course sequences are actually available at UCG versus requiring the main Spartanburg campus.
Expert Insight:
Because "USC Upstate" shares a University of South Carolina system identity with the much larger, more selective flagship USC Columbia, some applicants and even some third-party aggregator pages blur admissions statistics or program details between the two - always confirm you're looking at Upstate-specific (Spartanburg) data, not flagship Columbia data, particularly for acceptance rate and test score ranges.
University of South Carolina-Upstate Profile
Full Name
University of South Carolina-Upstate
City
Spartanburg
State
South Carolina
ZIP Code
29303-4999
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-Upstate Degree Worth It?
University of South Carolina-Upstate offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes. The figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $54,700, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.41%.
How much does a degree from University of South Carolina-Upstate Cost?
The sticker price is $24,565/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $13,725.
45.5% of students receive a Pell Grant and 53.1% take federal loans at University of South Carolina-Upstate. File your FAFSA early and list University of South Carolina-Upstate as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a University of South Carolina-Upstate Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $48,587. That's about 20% 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-Upstate. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 1045 | 20 |
| Florida College | Temple Terrace, FL | 1068 | 19 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of South Carolina-Upstate. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of South Carolina-Upstate. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
Degree Programs at University of South Carolina-Upstate
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About University of South Carolina-Upstate Admissions
Median earnings for University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates sit around $48,587 a year.
At about $24,565 a year, University of South Carolina-Upstate is on the more affordable end.
About 45.5% receive a Pell Grant at University of South Carolina-Upstate. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 69.6%, University of South Carolina-Upstate's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at University of South Carolina-Upstate average a 2.53 GPA.
University of South Carolina-Upstate doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 2.23 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.13, University of South Carolina-Upstate becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at University of South Carolina-Upstate — aim above 1082, ideally within the 1000–1170 range admitted students typically fall in.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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