University of South Carolina Columbia campus

UofSC Admission Requirements

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Columbia, SC
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#2 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

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UofSC Admission Overview

UofSC admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year UofSC admitted 60.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1180-1360 / ACT 26-32. UofSC is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UofSC is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/undergraduate_admissions/apply/for_freshmen/test_optional/index.php

UofSC Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

60.2%

Admission Standards

Very High

Applicant Competition

Low

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The UofSC acceptance rate is 60.2%. Last year, 31,701 of 52,703 applicants were admitted. That is the 7th lowest acceptance rate 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, admitting a large majority of applicants. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile. Getting an offer is relatively likely compared with more selective schools, but last year's class still posted a strong academic profile.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 23% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UofSC GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.69*

Typical High School Grades

A-

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.69*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

UofSC has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.69 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. UofSC is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

*3.69 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

UofSC Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

The University of South Carolina Columbia campus is test-optional for freshman applicants for the spring, summer, and fall 2027 terms. SAT and ACT scores are not required for general admission, the South Carolina Honors College, or Office of Undergraduate Admissions merit scholarships. Students who elect to have scores considered may self-report; official scores are required only if they enroll. Applicants from secondary schools that use written evaluations instead of grades cannot apply test-optional.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/undergraduate_admissions/apply/for_freshmen/test_optional/index.php

UofSC SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1180-1360

Freshmen who sent SAT

29%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 600
Math 580
Composite 1180

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 680
Math 680
Composite 1360

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at UofSC typically score around a 1270 SAT (middle 50% 1180–1360) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 85th percentile nationally. UofSC ranks #3 in the state of South Carolina and #246 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1180 to 1360

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

UofSC is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1270 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at University of South Carolina Columbia
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1360+	Above 75th	>74%
1270 to 1360	Avg +	60%-74%
1180 to 1270	Avg -	44%-60%
Below 1180	Below mid-50	<44%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UofSC ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

26-32

Freshmen reporting ACT

15%

25th Percentile Scores

English 25
Math 24
Composite 26

75th Percentile Scores

English 34
Math 30
Composite 32

Average ACT

Incoming testers at UofSC typically have around a 29 ACT (mid-50 26–32) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 91st percentile of ACT takers nationwide. UofSC places #3 among colleges in South Carolina and #189 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 26 to 32

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to UofSC without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 29.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at University of South Carolina Columbia
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
32+	Above 75th	>74%
29 to 32	Avg +	60%-74%
26 to 29	Avg -	44%-60%
Below 26	Below mid-50	<44%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

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.

High School Class Rank for admitted University of South Carolina Columbia students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	30%
Top 25% of class	63%
Top 50% of class	93%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the UofSC chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

University of South Carolina Columbia admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	32,041	20,662	52,703
Accepted	20,324	11,377	31,701
Acceptance Rate	63%	55%	60%
Enrolled	4,546	2,726	7,272
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	22%	24%	23%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

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

University of South Carolina Columbia application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2026 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Dec 1, 2026

Days left to Apply

Applicants have 92 days left until the Fall 2026 term applications are due on Dec 1, 2026.

Application Fee

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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at University of South Carolina Columbia
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

UofSC is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 60.2% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1180-1360); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025