University of South Carolina-Upstate Admission Requirements

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University of South Carolina-Upstate Admission Overview

University of South Carolina-Upstate admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year University of South Carolina-Upstate admitted 67.3% of applicants. GPA is not considered for admission at this campus. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1005-1175 / ACT 21-26. University of South Carolina-Upstate 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

University of South Carolina-Upstate Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

67.3%

Admission Standards

Easy

Applicant Competition

Low

Very Low
Low
Average
High
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Extreme

Admission difficulty for University of South Carolina Upstate

Acceptance Rate

The University of South Carolina-Upstate acceptance rate is 67.3%. Last year, 3,149 of 4,682 applicants were admitted. That is the 12th lowest acceptance rate 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 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.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 24% of those admitted chose to enroll.

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

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University of South Carolina-Upstate SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1005-1175

Freshmen who sent SAT

7%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 510
  • Math 495
  • Composite 1005
SAT 25th percentile scores for University of South Carolina Upstate

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 605
  • Math 570
  • Composite 1175
SAT 75th percentile scores for University of South Carolina Upstate

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at University of South Carolina-Upstate typically score around a 1090 SAT (middle 50% 1005–1175) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 57th percentile nationally. University of South Carolina-Upstate ranks #16 in the state of South Carolina for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1005 to 1175

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

University of South Carolina-Upstate 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 1090 SAT score range.

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

See my Chances for Admission

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 Upstate
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1175+ Above 75th >79%
1090 to 1175 Avg + 67%-79%
1005 to 1090 Avg - 52%-67%
Below 1005 Below mid-50 <52%

What do these figures mean?

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

University of South Carolina-Upstate ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

21-26

Freshmen reporting ACT

3%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 18
  • Math 19
  • Composite 21
ACT 25th percentile scores for University of South Carolina Upstate

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 26
  • Math 27
  • Composite 26
ACT 75th percentile scores for University of South Carolina Upstate

Average ACT

Incoming testers at University of South Carolina-Upstate typically have around a 23 ACT (mid-50 21–26) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 68th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. University of South Carolina-Upstate places #12 among colleges in South Carolina for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 21 to 26

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to University of South Carolina-Upstate without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 23.0 ACT score range.

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

See my Chances for Admission

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 Upstate
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
26+ Above 75th >81%
23 to 26 Avg + 67%-81%
21 to 23 Avg - 55%-67%
Below 21 Below mid-50 <55%

How to read these figures

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

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.

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Applying

Admission Statistics

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

University of South Carolina Upstate admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 3,223 1,459 4,682
Accepted 2,201 948 3,149
Acceptance Rate 68% 65% 67%
Enrolled 510 247 757
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 23% 26% 24%

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

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
Requirement Used for Admission
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

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

Application Fee

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

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

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at University of South Carolina Upstate
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

University of South Carolina-Upstate is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 67.3% of applicants. GPA is not considered. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1005-1175); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

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

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to University of South Carolina Upstate often consider these 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