University of South Carolina-Columbia: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Columbia, South Carolina · Public · Moderately selective · CDS 2024-2025
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University of South Carolina-Columbia is a public university in Columbia, South Carolina that admits about 60% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $22,811 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Finance and Financial Management Services, Public Health and Biology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 79% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 2.0 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
University of South Carolina-Columbia is a public institution located in Columbia, South Carolina with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of South Carolina-Columbia admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 60%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1270 and an ACT composite around 29. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $22,811 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for University of South Carolina-Columbia?
50% of enrolled students at University of South Carolina-Columbia had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.69, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What does University of South Carolina-Columbia weight in admissions?
University of South Carolina-Columbia reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Academic GPA
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Class rank
- • Standardized test scores
SAT and ACT scores University of South Carolina-Columbia typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 580–680, with an EBRW midpoint near 630. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 26–32. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | 1190 |
| 50th percentile | 1270 |
| 75th percentile | 1350 |
| % submitting SAT | 29% |
| 25th percentile | 26 |
| 50th percentile | 29 |
| 75th percentile | 32 |
| % submitting ACT | 15% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 29% |
| Top 25% of class | 63% |
| Top 50% of class | 93% |
| % submitting class rank | 62% |
How much does University of South Carolina-Columbia actually cost?
Published tuition is $12,688 for in-state students and $35,972 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $13,534 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $22,811 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 19% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | — |
| Room and board | — |
| Average net price (after aid) | $22,811 |
| Application fee | $65 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for University of South Carolina-Columbia
| Regular deadline | 12/1 |
| Notification date | Mid-March |
| Reply deadline | 1-May |
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
| EA deadline | October 15 |
Will my child graduate from University of South Carolina-Columbia?
These predict outcomes at University of South Carolina-Columbia better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at University of South Carolina-Columbia
The most popular undergraduate programs at University of South Carolina-Columbia, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Finance and Financial Management Services, Public Health and Biology, General. Across all programs, University of South Carolina-Columbia confers roughly 2,895 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Finance and Financial Management Services program report a median income of about $91,441 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 608 | $91,441 |
| Public Health | 438 | $55,090 |
| Biology, General | 369 | $60,846 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 342 | $48,055 |
| Marketing | 335 | $77,355 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 290 | $63,908 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 281 | $69,907 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 232 | $74,996 |
Is University of South Carolina-Columbia safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of South Carolina-Columbia disclosed 60 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 2.0 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 3 violent offenses and 32 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at University of South Carolina-Columbia?
About 29% of undergraduates at University of South Carolina-Columbia live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 26% of men join a fraternity and 39% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in South Carolina parents ask about
Colleges that admit at a similar rate
Next steps for University of South Carolina-Columbia
Common questions parents ask about University of South Carolina-Columbia
What GPA do I need for University of South Carolina-Columbia?
50% of enrolled students at University of South Carolina-Columbia had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.69, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does University of South Carolina-Columbia typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 580–680, with an EBRW midpoint near 630. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 26–32.
How much does University of South Carolina-Columbia actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at University of South Carolina-Columbia after grants and scholarships is $22,811 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $12,688 and $35,972 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is University of South Carolina-Columbia realistic for my child?
University of South Carolina-Columbia admits 60% of applicants, so 580–680 SAT Math is target range and below 580 is a reach. Then check the $22,811 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at University of South Carolina-Columbia?
University of South Carolina-Columbia accepts about 60% of applicants out of roughly 52,703 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.
Is University of South Carolina-Columbia test-optional?
Yes. University of South Carolina-Columbia is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at University of South Carolina-Columbia?
About 79% of students at University of South Carolina-Columbia graduate within six years. 92% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does University of South Carolina-Columbia look for in applicants?
University of South Carolina-Columbia rates GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is University of South Carolina-Columbia a public or private school, and where is it located?
University of South Carolina-Columbia is a public institution located in Columbia, South Carolina.
What are the most popular majors at University of South Carolina-Columbia?
The largest undergraduate majors at University of South Carolina-Columbia by annual graduates are Finance and Financial Management Services, Public Health and Biology, General. The school awards about 2,895 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is University of South Carolina-Columbia safe? What is its campus crime rate?
University of South Carolina-Columbia reported 60 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 2.0 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at University of South Carolina-Columbia?
At University of South Carolina-Columbia, 29% of undergraduates live on campus, 26% of men are in fraternities, 39% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of South Carolina-Columbia, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers