← All Colleges

How to Get Into University of South Carolina-Columbia

Columbia, SC · Public · 2025-2026 cycle · Verified data

University of South Carolina-Columbia Admissions Statistics

60%
Acceptance Rate
600-680
SAT Reading (mid 50%)
580-680
SAT Math (mid 50%)
26-32
ACT (mid 50%)
29,820
Undergrads
79%
Graduation Rate

How to Actually Get Into University of South Carolina-Columbia

The bar here is clear

University of South Carolina-Columbia admits most qualified applicants. Clear the academic bar (the ranges below) and your odds are strong. The real questions become fit, cost, and whether it earns its slot on your list, not whether you can get in.

Position your scores against the real bands

The middle 50% of enrolled students sits around 1180-1360 combined SAT or 26-32 ACT. Above the 75th percentile, scores work for you and this can behave like a target. Below the 25th percentile, the rest of your application has to carry the file, treat it as a reach. Test policy here is "Required for some programs", check the fine print for your specific program.

Use the Early Action round deliberately

University of South Carolina-Columbia offers Early Action: non-binding and worth taking if your application is ready, an earlier answer helps you calibrate the rest of your list, and EA carries no downside beyond the earlier deadline.

The bigger picture: no single school decides your outcome, the shape of your whole list does. Read how top counselors build a college list before you finalize where University of South Carolina-Columbia fits.

University of South Carolina-Columbia Application Deadlines (2025-2026)

Round Deadline
Early Action (EA) October 15, 2025
Regular Decision (RD) December 1, 2025

Deadlines verified from official sources for the 2025-2026 cycle. Rounds change year to year, always confirm on the school's site before submitting.

Application Requirements & Costs

Application platform Common App
Application fee $65
Test scores Required for some programs
Writing supplement Not required
Counselor recommendation Not required

University of South Carolina-Columbia Cost & Financial Aid

Total cost of attendance (sticker, per year) $31,638
Tuition & fees (in-state / out-of-state) $12,688 / $35,972
Room & board (on campus) $13,534
Average net price (aid-receiving families) $22,811

What You'd Actually Pay, by Family Income

Average net price per year (after grants and scholarships) for aid-receiving families, from federal College Scorecard data:

Family income Average net price / year
$0-30k $12,634
$30-48k $14,953
$48-75k $19,859
$75-110k $24,478
$110k+ $28,125
19.1%
Students receiving Pell Grants
41%
Students taking federal loans
92%
Freshman retention rate
19:1
Student-faculty ratio

These are averages, not your number. Get your family's actual price in about 10 minutes:

Use University of South Carolina-Columbia's Official Net Price Calculator →

More University of South Carolina-Columbia Data, Coming Soon

We're building the deepest per-school database in admissions. Rolling out for University of South Carolina-Columbia:

Programs & Majors Soon Every degree program at University of South Carolina-Columbia, with outcomes
Transfer Pathways Soon How to transfer into University of South Carolina-Columbia, and where transfers come from
Institutional Aid Soon University of South Carolina-Columbia's own grants and how they're awarded
Private Scholarships Soon Outside scholarships University of South Carolina-Columbia students actually win

Similar Schools