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#2 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

UofSC Admission Requirements

Columbia, South Carolina

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Your chances of getting into University of South Carolina Columbia

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

64.1%
Admission Difficulty for University of South Carolina Columbia
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Very High 
Applicant Competition Low 

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.

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Calculate your admission chances

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

UofSC GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.69*

Typical High School Grades 

B+

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.

High School GPA's for admitted University of South Carolina Columbia students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 13.82% Good
3.75 to 3.99 30.43% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 26.54% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 16.69% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 7.48% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 2.74% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.13% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0% Reach
less than 1.00 0% Reach

 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.

Calculate My Chances 

UofSC SAT Scores

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 Range 

1180-1380

Applicants Submitting SAT 

33%
SAT Scores for University of South Carolina Columbia
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 600
Math 25th Percentile 580
Composite 25th Percentile 1180
SAT Scores for University of South Carolina Columbia
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 690
Math 75th Percentile 690
Composite 75th Percentile 1380
Average SAT Score 1280

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.

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 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.

University of South Carolina Columbia admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1380 and Above Good >77%
1280 to 1380 Avg + 64%-77%
1180 to 1280 Avg - 48%-64%
1080 to 1180 Reach 33%-48%
Less than 1080 Low <33%
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UofSC ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

27-32 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

17%
ACT Scores for University of South Carolina Columbia
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 25
Math 25th Percentile 24
Composite 25th Percentile 27
ACT Scores for University of South Carolina Columbia
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 33
Math 75th Percentile 30
Composite 75th Percentile 32
Average ACT Score 29

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

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

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.

University of South Carolina Columbia admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
32 and Above Good >79%
29 to 32 Avg + 64%-79%
27 to 29 Avg - 52%-64%
25 to 27 Reach 39%-52%
Less than 25 Low <39%
Calculate My Chances 

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.

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

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

University of South Carolina Columbia admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 25,370 16,818 42,188
Accepted 17,052 9,970 27,022
Acceptance Rate 67% 59% 64%
Enrolled 3,983 2,591 6,574
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 23% 26% 24%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Dec 1, 2024

Days left to Apply

48

Applicants have 48 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Dec 1, 2024.

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?

University of South Carolina Columbia Application Requirements
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

Credits Accepted

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

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.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

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

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=218663 IPEDS survey data for University of South Carolina Columbia.

Last updated February 24, 2024

FAQs

Does University of South Carolina Columbia prefer SAT or ACT?

33% of students submit their SAT scores to UofSC. 17% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into University of South Carolina Columbia?

64% of those who apply are granted admission to UofSC. Admission competition is low and the college has very high admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for University of South Carolina Columbia?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1180 and 1380. The average SAT score is 1280. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for University of South Carolina Columbia?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 27 and 32. The average ACT score is 29. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.