SC Upstate Academic Snapshot
Admission Selectiveness:
- Admission Rate: 67.26%. Moderately selective, indicating a less competitive admission process.
- SAT Average: 1080. Average SAT scores, indicating a moderately competitive applicant pool.
Tuition Overview:
- In-State Tuition: $11,588
- Out-of-State Tuition: $23,090
- In-state tuition is affordable, while out-of-state tuition is higher, as is typical for public institutions.
Student Population at SC Upstate:
- Total Enrollment: 4,916, including 1,163 online students
- 4,487 Undergraduate, 429 Graduate
- Gender Distribution: 33% men, 67% women.
- This is a lower medium-sized institution, balancing resources and a sense of community.
Graduation & Retention Rate
- Graduation Rate: 43%. Lower graduation rate, which may reflect challenges in student retention or completion.
- Transfer-Out Rate: 35%. A significant portion of students transfer to other institutions.
- First-Year Retention Rate: 70%. Good retention, typical for many institutions.
Programs & Degrees Offered
- Programs Offered: 60 academic programs available.
- Online Programs: 10 programs available fully online.
- Graduate Programs: 12 graduate-level programs offered.
- Special Programs: Health Professions.
- Degrees Awarded: Certificate, Bachelor's, Master's.
SC Upstate Overview
University of South Carolina-Upstate (SC Upstate) is a four-year, public school located in Spartanburg, SC. University of South Carolina-Upstate was newly reclassified as an Research College/University (Baccalaureate Colleges) in 2025 due to changes in its research activities and doctoral program offerings.
The SC Upstate's tuition & fees is $11,588 for South Carolina residents and $23,090 for out-of-state students for the academic year 2024-2025. 73% of the enrolled undergraduates have received grants or scholarships, with an average aid amount of $8,921.
The school has a total enrollment of 4,916 and the students to faculty ratio is 15 to 1 (6.67%).
SC Upstate's acceptance rate is 67.26% and the yield (enrollment rate) is 24.04%. The median SAT score is 1080 and the ACT score is 23.
University of South Carolina-Upstate is accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
2025 Tuition & Fees and 2026 Estimation
For undergraduate programs, the 2025 tuition & fees of University of South Carolina-Upstate is $11,588 for in-state students and $23,090 for out-of-state students. For graduate programs, its 2025 tuition & fees is $14,114 for in-state students and $30,140 for out-of-state students.
The estimated 2026 tuition & fees for prospective students is $11,593 for South Carolina residents and $23,095 for out-of-state students based on the current year tuition changes from last year. The estimated 2026 graduate school tuition & fees is $14,119 for South Carolina residents and $30,145 for out-of-state students.
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $11,588 | $23,090 |
|---|
| Graduate | $14,114 | $30,140 |
|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $11,593 | $23,095 |
|---|
| Graduate | $14,119 | $30,145 |
|---|
The estimation for 2025-2026 tuition costs is based on the cost change rates of last year.
Learning Opportunities and Campus Services
University of South Carolina-Upstate offers online classes (distance learning opportunities) for both undergraduate and graduate programs. It has ROTC programs and offers teacher certification programs designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for certification as teachers.
Special Learning Opportunities at SC Upstate
| Learning Opportunities |
|---|
| ROTC | Army |
|---|
| Weekend/Evening College | No |
|---|
| Teacher Certification | Yes |
|---|
| Study Abroad | Yes |
|---|
| On-Campus Services |
|---|
| Academic/career counseling service | Yes |
|---|
| Employment services for students | Yes |
|---|
| Placement services for completers | Yes |
|---|
| On-campus day care for students' children | No |
|---|
University of South Carolina-Upstate Directory Information
Tools for analyzing and comparing SC Upstate