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#7 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

University of South Carolina-Upstate Admission Requirements

Spartanburg, South Carolina

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Your chances of getting into University of South Carolina Upstate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

78.6%
Admission Difficulty for University of South Carolina Upstate
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Easy 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at University of South Carolina-Upstate is 78.6%.  Its admission rate is the 24th lowest in South Carolina.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into University of South Carolina-Upstate and can you get accepted?

University of South Carolina Upstate is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 2,428 out of the 3,090 who applied were admitted.

University of South Carolina Upstate typically accepts and attracts "C+" average high school students with an average GPA around 2.53. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 28% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into University of South Carolina-Upstate?

79% 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.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

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

  • Have a high school GPA of 2.53 or better
  • Earn C+ grades in high school
  • Score 1050 on the SAT
  • Score 22 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

University of South Carolina-Upstate GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

2.53

Typical High School Grades 

C+

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

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into University of South Carolina-Upstate are to have around a 2.53 high school GPA. You can get into University of South Carolina-Upstate with below average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 2.53 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as University of South Carolina-Upstate accepts 79% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at University of South Carolina-Upstate is 2.53 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn C+ letter grades and regularly score around 77-79 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #33 in South Carolina for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since University of South Carolina-Upstate 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 2.5 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.

High School GPA's for admitted University of South Carolina Upstate students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 0% Good
3.50 to 3.74 1.0% Good
3.25 to 3.49 7.0% Good
3.00 to 3.24 14.0% Good
2.50 to 2.99 44.0% Avg -
2.00 to 2.49 27.0% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 7.0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

University of South Carolina-Upstate SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to University of South Carolina Upstate. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 16% of students submitted SAT scores and 6% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

950-1150

Applicants Submitting SAT 

16%
SAT Scores for University of South Carolina Upstate
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 490
Math 25th Percentile 460
Composite 25th Percentile 950
SAT Scores for University of South Carolina Upstate
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 590
Math 75th Percentile 560
Composite 75th Percentile 1150
Average SAT Score 1050

SAT Scores you need to get in

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

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at University of South Carolina-Upstate is 1050 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 950-1150. Students who get into University of South Carolina Upstate score in the top 69 percent of all SAT test takers..  University of South Carolina-Upstate ranks #19 in the state of South Carolina for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1050 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. University of South Carolina-Upstate regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 950 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 950, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 850, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

University of South Carolina Upstate 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 1050 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

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 1050, you have around a 79% chance of being admitted. A 1150 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 88% chance of getting in.

University of South Carolina Upstate admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1150 and Above Good >88%
1050 to 1150 Avg + 79%-88%
950 to 1050 Avg - 66%-79%
850 to 950 Reach 51%-66%
Less than 850 Low <51%
Calculate My Chances 

University of South Carolina-Upstate ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

20-25 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

6%
ACT Scores for University of South Carolina Upstate
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 19
Math 25th Percentile 18
Composite 25th Percentile 20
ACT Scores for University of South Carolina Upstate
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 25
Math 75th Percentile 24
Composite 75th Percentile 25
Average ACT Score 22

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into University of South Carolina-Upstate?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to University of South Carolina-Upstate is 22, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 20 and 25.  The school ranks #11 in South Carolina for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 22. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 20 and score in the score in the top 49 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 18.

6 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of South Carolina Upstate.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as University of South Carolina Upstate 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

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into University of South Carolina-Upstate for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 22 score has around 79% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 89% with a 25 ACT score.

University of South Carolina Upstate admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
25 and Above Good >89%
22 to 25 Avg + 79%-89%
20 to 22 Avg - 69%-79%
18 to 20 Reach 57%-69%
Less than 18 Low <57%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

72% of University of South Carolina Upstate freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 39% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted University of South Carolina Upstate students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 13%
Top 25% of class 39%
Top 50% of class 72%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

University of South Carolina Upstate admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 2,056 1,034 3,090
Accepted 1,644 784 2,428
Acceptance Rate 80% 76% 79%
Enrolled 455 233 688
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 28% 30% 28%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of South Carolina Upstate is $45.

Application Requirements

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

University of South Carolina Upstate Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Not considered for admission, even if submitted
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even 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

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at University of South Carolina Upstate
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because University of South Carolina Upstate is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 2.53 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1050 and ACT of 22 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to University of South Carolina Upstate often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=218742 IPEDS survey data for University of South Carolina Upstate.

Last updated February 24, 2024