South Carolina Colleges for a 3.5 GPA

With a 3.5 GPA, you are competitive at 27 four-year colleges in South Carolina (9 target, 10 reach, 8 safety). A 3.5 is typically a A- (~88%) on a common grading scale.

Colleges in South Carolina for a 3.5 GPA

Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)

Target schools have average GPAs near 3.5 - your grades fit squarely in the admitted pool.

College Avg GPA Acceptance Rate Your Chance

Columbia, SC

 3.69 60% Medium

Spartanburg, SC

 3.7 52% Medium

Greenville, SC

 3.61 43% Medium

Greenwood, SC

 3.66 81% Medium

Clinton, SC

 3.6 68% Medium

Columbia, SC

 3.56 94% Medium

Newberry, SC

 3.58 90% Medium

Gaffney, SC

 3.42 97% Medium

Columbia, SC

 3.5 94% Medium

Reach Schools (Lower Admission Chance)

Reach schools typically enroll students with higher average GPAs; admission is possible but more competitive.

College Avg GPA Acceptance Rate Your Chance

Clemson, SC

 3.75 38% Low

Conway, SC

 3.72 75% Low

Charleston, SC

 3.94 60% Low

Rock Hill, SC

 4.0 79% Low

Anderson, SC

 3.72 55% Low

Charleston, SC

 3.8 23% Low

Bluffton, SC

 3.82 73% Low

Florence, SC

 3.89 86% Low

Tigerville, SC

 3.84 67% Low

Spartanburg, SC

 3.89 68% Low

Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)

Safety schools have average GPAs well below 3.5; you have a very high chance of acceptance.

College Avg GPA Acceptance Rate Your Chance

Orangeburg, SC

 3.17 83% High

Charleston, SC

 3.24 96% High

Aiken, SC

 3.19 79% High

Spartanburg, SC

 2.53 67% High

Hartsville, SC

 3.1 94% High

Sumter, SC

 2.57 100% High

Denmark, SC

 2.0 100% High

Central, SC

 4.0 100% High

View the full list of colleges that accept a 3.5 GPA in South Carolina

See all colleges nationally for a 3.5 GPA

Published: August 19, 2026