More selective than 76% of South Carolina colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
32% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 17% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose University of South Carolina-Columbia over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
University of South Carolina-Columbia SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, University of South Carolina-Columbia is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 600 | 680 |
| SAT math | 580 | 680 |
| ACT composite | 26 | 32 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1180 | 1360 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
University of South Carolina-Columbia admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 60% | 600–680 | 580–680 | 26–32 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 61% | 600–690 | 580–690 | 26–32 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is University of South Carolina-Columbia compared with other South Carolina colleges?
University of South Carolina-Columbia has the 8th-lowest acceptance rate of 30 South Carolina colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | American College of the Building Arts | 44% | 62% | $30,403 |
| 5 | Wofford College | 52% | 84% | $18,732 |
| 6 | Anderson University | 55% | 66% | $23,544 |
| 7 | College of Charleston | 60% | 66% | $18,960 |
| 8 | University of South Carolina-Columbia | 60% | 79% | $22,811 |
| 9 | Erskine College | 63% | 45% | $16,525 |
| 10 | Claflin University | 65% | 52% | $17,800 |
| 11 | North Greenville University | 67% | 55% | $21,063 |
| 12 | University of South Carolina-Upstate | 67% | 43% | $13,557 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All South Carolina colleges →
Who enrolls at University of South Carolina-Columbia
College Scorecard; IPEDS
University of South Carolina-Columbia admissions questions
What is the University of South Carolina-Columbia acceptance rate?
University of South Carolina-Columbia accepts 60% of applicants, about 1 in 2. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 28,706 of 46,682 applicants were admitted.
Does University of South Carolina-Columbia require the SAT or ACT?
University of South Carolina-Columbia considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 32% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 17% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for University of South Carolina-Columbia?
The middle 50% of University of South Carolina-Columbia enrolled first-year students scored 1180–1360 on the SAT and 26–32 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at University of South Carolina-Columbia?
25% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (7,319 of 28,706).
Is University of South Carolina-Columbia getting harder to get into?
University of South Carolina-Columbia accepted 60% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 61% for Fall 2023.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to University of South Carolina-Columbia overview