The average acceptance rate at South Carolina over the past 10 years is 65.27%, and the most recent acceptance rate is 60.15%.
The average yield (enrollment rate) over the period is 27.26%, and the 2025 yield is 22.94%. Overall, the yield has decreased by 26.71% from 2015 to 2025.
The number of South Carolina applicants increased by 12.90% (6,021 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants increased by 104.75% overall.
Key Takeaways: South Carolina Admission Metrics
Acceptance Rate Overview
The current acceptance rate for the 2025 admission cycle is 60.15%, representing an increasingly selective admissions process. This indicates that South Carolina has become more competitive over the past decade, as the institution receives a growing number of applications while maintaining or reducing the number of admitted students.
Yield Rate & Enrollment Patterns
The admission yield (the percentage of admitted students who enroll) for the 2025 academic year is 22.94%. The declining yield trend suggests that a lower percentage of admitted students are choosing to enroll at South Carolina. This pattern may reflect increased competition from peer institutions, changing student demographics, or shifts in institutional enrollment strategy.
Application Volume & Admission Trends
For the 2025 admission cycle, South Carolina received approximately 52,703 applications, admitted 31,701 students, and enrolled 7,272 students. The rising application volume trend indicates that South Carolina is attracting an increasing number of prospective students over time. This growth in applications typically reflects enhanced institutional visibility, improved marketing initiatives, or increasing perceived value in the higher education market.
Acceptance Rate Changes
South Carolina 10-Year Admission Rate Summary: The acceptance rate trends at South Carolina over the past decade show a relatively stable trend, with fluctuations in both directions. The average acceptance rate over this period is 65.27%, while the most recent rate stands at 60.15%. This data reflects the institution's evolving competitiveness in the higher education admissions landscape.
For the most recent admission cycle (2025), the acceptance rate is 60.15%. By gender, the average acceptance rate for men is 64.65% and for women is 65.51%.
The following table and chart show how acceptance rates at South Carolina have changed over the past 10 years (2015-2025).
Admission Yield (Enrollment Rate) Changes
South Carolina has demonstrated a decline in admission yield over the past 10 years. The institution's yield rate has decreased from 31.30% in 2015 to 22.94% in 2025, representing a 26.71% decrease. The 10-year average yield stands at 27.26%, reflecting weakening enrollment performance.
The following table and chart illustrate the changes in yield at South Carolina from 2015 to 2025. The admission yield has decreased by 26.71% over this period.
Applicants, Admitted, and Enrolled Headcount Changes
Over the past 10 years, The average number of applicants is 35,754, the average number of admitted is 23,083, and the average number of first-year enrolled students is 6,149.
The number of South Carolina applicants increased by 12.90% (6,021 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants increased by 104.75% overall.
The following table and chart show the changes of applicants, admitted, and enrolled headcount at University of South Carolina-Columbia from 2015 to 2025.
Compare Acceptance Rate Change to Similar Colleges
The following table compares University of South Carolina-Columbia' acceptance rate to similar schools.