UofSC Admission Requirements

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at UofSC is 64.1%.  Its admission rate is the 10th lowest in South Carolina.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into UofSC and can you get accepted?

UofSC is a moderately competitive school to get into. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the criteria. Last year, 27,022 out of the 42,188 who applied were admitted.

University of South Carolina Columbia typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.69. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 24% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into UofSC?

64% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to University of South Carolina Columbia you should:

• Have a high school GPA of 3.69 or better
• Earn B+ grades in high school
• Score 1280 on the SAT
• Score 29 on the ACT
• Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

What GPA do you need to get into University of South Carolina Columbia?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into UofSC are to have around a 3.69 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as UofSC accepts 64% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at UofSC is 3.69 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #14 in South Carolina for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since UofSC is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

 What do these chances mean?

*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.69 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to University of South Carolina Columbia. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 33% of students submitted SAT scores and 17% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to University of South Carolina Columbia?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at UofSC is 1280 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1180-1380. Students who get into University of South Carolina Columbia score in the top 27 percent of all SAT test takers..  UofSC ranks #3 in the state of South Carolina and #213 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1280 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. UofSC regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1180 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1180, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1080, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

University of South Carolina Columbia is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1280 SAT score range.

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1280, you have around a 64% chance of being admitted. A 1380 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 77% chance of getting in.

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into UofSC?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to UofSC is 29, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 27 and 32.  The school ranks #3 in South Carolina and #182 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 29. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 27 and score in the score in the top 15 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 24.

17 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of South Carolina Columbia.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as University of South Carolina Columbia is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into UofSC for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 29 score has around 64% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 79% with a 32 ACT score.

High School Class Rank

63% of University of South Carolina Columbia freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 30% are in the top ten percent.

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of South Carolina Columbia is $65.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of South Carolina Columbia and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Credits Accepted

Admission Requirements Summary

Because UofSC is moderately competitive, you have a strong chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.69 GPA, you have a very good likelihood of getting in. A 1280 on the SAT and 29 on the ACT will further lock in your application.