Official NCES IPEDS & Common Data Set Admissions Statistics (2025-2026 Cycle)
Home › Colleges › University of South Carolina
Flagship Public Public research university Columbia, SC

University of South Carolina Acceptance Rate

Comprehensive admissions statistics, middle 50% SAT/ACT test score percentiles, GPA requirements, deadlines, and cost of attendance according to official NCES IPEDS and Common Data Set reports.

Official Acceptance Rate
64%

64 admitted per 100 applicants

Total Applicants
47,000
Undergraduate pool
Total Admitted
30,080
Offers extended
Enrolled Freshmen
6,800
Yield: 22.6%
Middle 50% SAT
1180-1350
25th-75th Percentile
Middle 50% ACT
25-30
Composite score
Average High School GPA
3.7
Unweighted 4.0 scale

Calculate Your Chances of Admission to University of South Carolina

Simulate how your personal high school GPA and standardized test scores compare against South Carolina's accepted cohort.

College Admissions Chances Calculator

Evaluate admission odds based on your GPA and SAT/ACT scores against official IPEDS benchmarks

100% Free • No Login Required
3.85
Composite SAT Score 1480
Harvard University
Institutional Acceptance Rate: 3.4%
Reach School
Estimated Admission Likelihood
6% - 10% (~2.4x baseline rate)
Reach (<35%) Target (35%-70%) Safety (>70%)
Academic Profile vs Middle 50% Benchmarks:
Your GPA vs School Avg
3.85 vs 3.98 Below Avg
Your SAT vs Mid-50%
1480 vs 1490-1580 Near 25th %
Strategic Recommendations for this College:

Loading personalized admissions advice...

South Carolina Standardized Test Score Distributions

Breakdown of the 25th percentile (bottom quarter) vs 75th percentile (top quarter) of matriculated students.

SAT Middle 50% Distribution

1600 Scale
Composite Total Range 1180 – 1350
Reading & Writing (EBRW) 590 – 680
Math Section 580 – 670
Current Testing Policy Test-Optional through 2026

ACT & GPA Academic Benchmarks

36 Scale / 4.0 GPA
ACT Composite 25th Percentile 25
ACT Composite 75th Percentile 30
Average High School Unweighted GPA 3.7 / 4.00
Estimated Class Rank Top 10% of high school graduating class

Application Deadlines & Admissions Plans

Regular Decision (RD) Deadline December 1
Early Application Deadline October 15
Early Admissions Plan Type Early Action
Application Fee $65 (Fee waivers accepted)

Tuition & Estimated Cost of Attendance

In-State Tuition & Fees $12,688 / year
Out-of-State Tuition & Fees $34,310 / year
Institutional Type Public research university
Official Admissions Portal Visit South Carolina

University of South Carolina Admissions FAQ

Frequently asked questions regarding admission requirements, GPA, and test percentiles for South Carolina.

What is the acceptance rate for University of South Carolina?

The official undergraduate acceptance rate for University of South Carolina (South Carolina) is approximately 64.0%. For every 100 applicants, around 64 students are admitted, according to latest NCES IPEDS and Common Data Set reports.

What GPA do you need to get into South Carolina?

Admitted students to South Carolina typically have an average unweighted high school GPA of around 3.7 on a 4.0 scale. Most successful applicants take rigorous AP, IB, or Honors courses and rank in the top quartile of their graduating class.

What are the middle 50% SAT and ACT scores for South Carolina?

The middle 50% SAT score range for admitted students is 1180 to 1350. For the ACT, the middle 50% composite score is 25 to 30. Scoring in the upper 75th percentile significantly increases your admissions chances.

What is the application deadline for University of South Carolina?

The regular decision application deadline for University of South Carolina is December 1. Early applicants typically submit their materials by October 15 under the Early Action admissions plan.

Is South Carolina test-optional in 2025-2026?

University of South Carolina's testing policy status: Test-Optional through 2026. Please verify program-specific requirements on the official admissions portal before submitting.