[updated for 2024-2025 admission data]
How hard is South Carolina to get into?
This page provides the latest information on University of South Carolina-Columbia (South Carolina)'s admission process, acceptance rate, and student profile. South Carolina's acceptance rate is 60.15% for 2024-2025 admission. A total of 52,703 students applied and 31,701 were admitted to the school. Its acceptance rate is relatively high, making it somewhat easy to get into South Carolina.
To apply to South Carolina, personal statement (or essay) is required to submit. The SAT and ACT score is not required, but considered for admission. In addition, english proficiency test score is also considered (required).
Admission Statistics
For the academic year 2024-25, South Carolina's acceptance rate is 60.15% and the yield (also known as enrollment rate) is 22.94%. 20,662 men and 32,041 women applied to South Carolina and 11,377 men and 20,324 women students were accepted.
Among them, 2,726 men and 4,546 women were enrolled in South Carolina. You can explore the South Carolina's admission rates and SAT score trends over the past decade, including year-by-year data and analysis, by visiting Admission Trends page.
Median SAT and ACT Score
For the academic year 2025, 2,141 students (29% of enrolled students) submitted SAT scores and 1,096 students (15% of enrolled students) submitted ACT scores as part of the admission process at South Carolina.
The median SAT score for admitted students is 1,270, including 640 in SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and 630 in SAT Math. The 75th percentile SAT EBRW score is 680 and the 25th percentile is 600. For SAT Math, the 75th percentile score is 680 and the 25th percentile is 580.
The median ACT composite score is 29, with a 75th percentile score of 32 and a 25th percentile score of 26 at South Carolina. The median ACT Math score is 27 and the median ACT English score is 29.
How competitive is South Carolina's score?
The SAT and ACT scores at University of South Carolina-Columbia are similar to the average score compared to similar colleges (SAT: 1,261, ACT: 27 - public research university with very high research activity).
First-year Enrollment by Gender and Enrolled Type
For the academic year 2024-25, total 7,272 first-year students enrolled in South Carolina. The proportion of full-time students is 99.92% and part-time students is 0.08%.
By gender, the proportion of men students is 37.49% and women students is 62.51%.
The following table shows the first-year students by gender and enrolled type at South Carolina.
Application Requirements
It requires to submit High School GPA, Completion of College Preparatory Program, English Proficiency Test, and Personal statement or essay to its applicants.
The SAT and ACT test score is not required, but considered in admission process at South Carolina. The english proficiency test is required .
The next table summarizes the application requirements to apply University of South Carolina-Columbia.
For more admission information such as minimum GPA and deadlines, see its online application page .
General Admissions Information
The following provides general admission information for applying to South Carolina:
- Open Admission Policy: No
- Undergraduate Application Fees: -
- Graduate Application Fees: -
- Admission Information: www.sc.edu/admissions/
- Online Application: www.sc.edu/apply/index.php
- Calendar System: Semester
- Course for High School Students: Not Offered
- Credits Accepted: Advanced placement (AP) Credits
- Degree Offered: 1-Year Certificate, Associate, 2-4 Years Certificate, Bachelor, Post-Bachelor Certificate, Master, Post-Master Certificate, Doctoral (Research), Doctoral (Professional Practice)
South Carolina Admission Frequently Asked Questions
South Carolina is relatively easy to get into, with an acceptance rate of 60.15%.
South Carolina recommends submitting SAT or ACT scores, but they are not strictly required for admission. The average SAT score required for admission to South Carolina is 1,270, and the average ACT score is 29. Meeting or exceeding these scores will improve your chances of admission.
Yes, South Carolina requires applicants to submit a personal essay or statement as part of the application.
South Carolina does not require or recommend a recommendation letter for admission. However, it may be required for certain programs or scholarships.
South Carolina does not require an application fee for undergraduate or graduate admission.
Yes, South Carolina requires applicants to submit high school GPA as part of the admission process.
Yes, South Carolina requires international applicants to submit an English proficiency test (like TOEFL or IELTS) as part of the application.
The institutional SAT and ACT codes for South Carolina are not available. Please check the official admissions website for the most up-to-date information.