University of South Carolina Upstate

  • 5/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Spartanburg, SC
  • 0 reviews
#5 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

Overview

Total enrollment

4,916
University of South Carolina Upstate overview
University of South Carolina Upstate overview
  • Size Mid-size
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing Yes
  • Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

The University of South Carolina Upstate occupies a 330-acre campus in Spartanburg, South Carolina, positioned between Charlotte and Atlanta along the I-85 corridor. Founded in 1967 as a regional campus of the USC system, USC Upstate features modern academic buildings and residential facilities that accommodate both traditional and non-traditional students. The university maintains a comprehensive academic program with particular emphasis in nursing, business, education, and computer science, while also operating satellite locations in Greenville and Duncan. The campus includes multiple residential communities for students, a wellness center, and competes in NCAA Division I athletics as part of the Big South Conference. USC Upstate serves primarily as a regional institution, with most students coming from the Upstate South Carolina area.

Ratings

University of South Carolina-Upstate is rated within the lower 44% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    5 out of 10
  • Academics
    6 out of 10
  • Resources
    5 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    4 out of 10
  • Value
    5 out of 10

Admissions

Admission Standards

Easy
University of South Carolina Upstate admission standards
  • SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1005/1175
  • ACT (enrolled mid-50) 21/26

Acceptance Rate

67.3%
University of South Carolina Upstate applications overview
  • Applications Due -
  • Enrollment Rate 24%
  • Application Fee $45

Applicant Competition Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

South Carolina Resident Tuition

$11,588

Out of State Resident Tuition

$23,090

Breakdown

In State Costs for University of South Carolina Upstate
  • Tuition $11,588
  • Books and Supplies $1,600
  • Other Fees $380
  • Room and Board $10,533
  • Budget for Other Expenses $3,600
  • Total One Year Cost $27,701

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$39,300 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

39% within 6 years

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at University of South Carolina Upstate are Health Professions, Education, and Business. 26% of students major in Health Professions, 20% in Education, and 17% in Business.

  • Health Professions 26%
  • Education 20%
  • Business 17%
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities 8%
  • Psychology 6%

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering University of South Carolina Upstate are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=218742.

GPA calculator: University of South Carolina Upstate GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026