University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina · Public · 29,820 undergraduates · sc.edu
Test policy (fall 2027)
Test optional
Sending scores is your choice
Admit rate
57%
of 59,630 applicants
SAT (middle 50%)
1200 to 1360
of enrolled freshmen
Annual cost (2027-28)
$40,140Est.Estimate
$66,890 out of state
Your chances and merit aid at University of South Carolina-Columbia
See where you stand for admission, how much merit aid you could get, and what you'd pay after it.
We started you at a typical enrolled freshman here. Move the sliders to match you.
Your admission chances
57% of applicants admitted
Target
Your SAT is inside the range where the middle half of enrolled freshmen scored, and your GPA is in the middle half of freshmen's.
Estimated merit aid
a year
Your cost after merit aid
$66,890
a year in 2027-28, from a $66,890 sticker price (out of state)
What to do with your 1280
Send your score
About 56% of freshmen here didn't send a score. We estimate their typical SAT at about 1160, and yours is above it.
Named scholarships you may qualify for (1)
$6,000 a year
You meet the GPA and score minimums. Also needs National Merit Finalist standing.
Reach, target and likely are a rough guide from your test score and how selective the college is. Admissions also weigh your courses, grades, essays and activities. Merit aid figures are estimates, before any need-based aid.
Admissions
Test policy for fall 2027
Test optional
You choose whether to send an SAT or ACT score. If you send one, it's considered.
- Superscores: it combines your best section scores from different test dates.
- You can type your scores into the application; official reports come later.
Source: Freshman Applicants | University of South Carolina · Checked October 16, 2026
Application deadlines
- Oct15Early Action · October 15, 2026Apply early and hear early. Not binding.
- Nov15Other deadline · November 15, 2026
- Dec1Regular Decision · December 1, 2026The standard deadline.
Who gets in
57%
of applicants were admitted: 33,695 of 59,630 for fall 2025.
Early Action
Not binding. Apply by 10/15.
Wait list
8,805 students were offered a spot; 293 were later admitted.
Test scores of enrolled freshmen (fall 2025)
The shaded part shows the middle half of enrolled freshmen who sent scores: a quarter scored below it and a quarter above. 32% of them sent SAT scores and 15% sent ACT scores.
SAT total 1200 to 1360
Reading and Writing 610 to 690
Math 580 to 680
ACT composite 26 to 32
How enrolled freshmen scored on the SAT
- 1400 to 160019%
- 1200 to 139957%
- 1000 to 119923%
- 800 to 9991.8%
- 600 to 7990%
- 400 to 5990%
Source: Common Data Set 2025-2026
High school GPA of enrolled freshmen
Average GPA: 3.68
- 4.015%
- 3.75 to 3.9933%
- 3.50 to 3.7428%
- 3.25 to 3.4915%
- 3.00 to 3.246.7%
- 2.50 to 2.991.4%
- Below 2.500.1%
Cost and financial aid
The sticker price is what a year costs before any aid. Most students pay less after grants and scholarships.
Sticker price for 2027-28Estimate
$40,140
a year, in state
$66,890
a year, out of state (tuition $39,390)
- Tuition (in state)$12,640
- Fees$410
- Food and housing$17,840
- Books and supplies$1,570
- Transportation and other$7,680
University of South Carolina-Columbia published $39,004 in state for 2026-27. Its 2027-28 prices aren't out yet.
Source: Common Data Set 2025-2026
What families actually pay
What a year cost on average after grants and scholarships, for freshmen who got federal aid in 2023-24 (in-state students), by family income.
- $0 to $30,000$13,832
- $30,001 to $48,000$14,286
- $48,001 to $75,000$17,357
- $75,001 to $110,000$23,410
- Over $110,000$28,504
Financial aid
61%
of a student's financial need is covered, on average
$14,693
average need-based grant to freshmen, money you don't repay
38%
of freshmen got merit aid without financial need, $4,353 on average
- FAFSA
- Required for need-based aid. It's the free federal aid form.
- CSS Profile
- Not required. Only the FAFSA is needed.
- Aid priority date: 4/1
- Send your aid forms by this date to be first in line for the college's grant money.
Source: Common Data Set 2025-2026
Merit scholarships
Awards for grades and scores, on top of need-based aid. You don't repay them.
Dean's Scholars Award
$3,500 a year
Automatic · In-state students · No separate application
- Named a South Carolina Palmetto Fellow (automatic); others considered holistically. Prior-year recipient averages (not minimums): SAT 1382 / ACT 31, GPA 5.2, top 3%, an application, essay or interview
Deadline: Apply by December 1. To keep it: ask the college for the renewal rules.
DetailsUniversity of South Carolina STEM Supplement
$3,300 a year
Automatic · In-state students · No separate application
- Palmetto Fellow enrolled in a STEM-eligible major
To keep it: it's a one-time award and doesn't renew.
DetailsValedictorian Scholars Award
$3,000 a year
Automatic · In-state students · No separate application
- 1st in class at end of junior or senior year, S.C. resident at an S.C. high school with a graduating class of 20+
Deadline: Apply by December 1. To keep it: ask the college for the renewal rules.
DetailsPresidential Scholars Award
$1,000 a year
Automatic · In-state students · No separate application
- 1450+ SAT or 33+ ACT, Must be named a Palmetto Fellow
Deadline: Apply by December 1. To keep it: ask the college for the renewal rules.
Details
Show 11 more scholarships
Academic Scholar Award
$6,500 to $30,000 a year
Competitive · Out-of-state students · No separate application
Deadline: Apply by December 1. To keep it: ask the college for the renewal rules.
DetailsStamps Scholars Award
Competitive · Out-of-state students · Application required
Approximately $25,810 per year + tuition reduction to in-state rate; four-year value approximately $219,000 + $15,000 enrichment fund; 5 recipients
Deadline: November 15 (Honors College application). To keep it: ask the college for the renewal rules.
DetailsMcNair Scholars Award
Competitive · Out-of-state students · Application required
$24,000 per year + tuition reduction to in-state rate; four-year value more than $199,000 + $14,000 enrichment fund; 20 recipients
Deadline: November 15 (Honors College application). To keep it: ask the college for the renewal rules.
DetailsStamps Scholars Award
$20,000 a year
Competitive · In-state students · Application required
Deadline: November 15 (Honors College application). To keep it: ask the college for the renewal rules.
DetailsCarolina Scholars Award
$15,000 a year
Competitive · In-state students · Application required
Deadline: November 15 (Honors College application). To keep it: ask the college for the renewal rules.
DetailsHorseshoe Scholars Award
Competitive · Out-of-state students · Application required
$11,000 per year + tuition reduction to in-state rate; four-year value more than $147,000; up to 20 recipients
Deadline: November 15 (Honors College application). To keep it: ask the college for the renewal rules.
Details1801 Scholars Award
$10,000 a year
Competitive · In-state students · Application required
Deadline: November 15 (Honors College application). To keep it: ask the college for the renewal rules.
DetailsUniversity Scholars Award
$2,500 a year
Competitive · In-state students · No separate application
Deadline: Apply by December 1. To keep it: ask the college for the renewal rules.
DetailsGarnet Scholars Award
$1,000 a year
Competitive · In-state students · No separate application
Deadline: Apply by December 1. To keep it: ask the college for the renewal rules.
DetailsProvost Scholars Award
$10,000 a year
National Merit · In-state students · No separate application
- National Merit Finalist naming USC first choice
Deadline: Name USC first choice with NMSC by its deadline. To keep it: ask the college for the renewal rules.
DetailsProvost Scholars Award
$6,000 a year
National Merit · Out-of-state students · No separate application
- National Merit Finalist naming USC first choice
Deadline: Name USC first choice with NMSC by its deadline. To keep it: ask the college for the renewal rules.
Details
South Carolina programs for residents
Palmetto Fellows Scholarship
$6,700 to $7,500 a year
State program · In-state students
- 4.00+ GPA, 1400+ SAT or 31+ ACT, Alternative pathway (no rank; early or late award); for schools that do not rank or students qualifying without regard to rank; CHE application
- 3.50+ GPA, 1200+ SAT or 25+ ACT, Rank pathway (early or late award); top 6% of class (end of grade 10 or 11 for early award; 10, 11 or 12 for late); school must rank per CHE-reviewed policy; CHE application, top 6% of class
LIFE Scholarship
$5,000 a year
State program · In-state students
- 3.00+ GPA, 1100+ SAT or 22+ ACT, Four-year institution: 2 of 3 criteria; top 30% of graduating class (third criterion; school must have approved official rank policy), top 30% of class
- 3.00+ GPA, 1100+ SAT or 22+ ACT, Four-year institution: graduate of non-ranking school (GPA and test); graduate of non-ranking SC high school, non-ranking SC approved home school association, or out-of-state preparatory high school
LIFE Scholarship Enhancement
$2,500 a year
State program · In-state students
- 1100+ SAT or 22+ ACT, Add-on for LIFE recipients in STEM, education or accounting majors; must be receiving LIFE; second year or later at eligible 4-year SC institution; CHE-approved STEM, education or accounting major; STEM/accounting need 14 approved math/science hours before Year 2; education majors sign SC teaching-service agreement
Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Enhancement
$2,500 a year
State program · In-state students
- 1200+ SAT or 25+ ACT, Add-on for Palmetto Fellows in STEM, education or accounting majors; must be receiving Palmetto Fellows; second year or later at eligible 4-year SC institution; CHE-approved STEM, education or accounting major; STEM/accounting need 14 approved math/science hours before Year 2; education majors sign SC teaching-service agreement
Compare awards across colleges with the merit aid calculator.
AP credit
AP exams that earn credit can replace college courses, so you pay for fewer of them and may graduate sooner.
AP exams that earn credit
41 of 41
Earn credit with a score of 3
41 exams
A 3-credit course is worth
about $1,260Est.Estimate
at 2027-28 tuition for in-state students
Credit for each AP exam
| Exam | Score needed | Credits | Counts as |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-D Art and Design | 3 | 3 | ARTS 103 |
| 3-D Art and Design | 3 | 3 | ARTS 104 |
| African American Studies | 3 | AFAM 201 | |
| Art History | 3 | 3 | ARTE 101 |
| Art History | 4 | 3 | ARTH 105 |
| Art History | 5 | 6 | ARTH 105 and 106 |
| Biology | 3 | 4 | BIOL 101 and 101L |
| Biology | 4 | 8 | BIOL 101, 101L, 102, and 102L |
| Calculus AB | 3 | 4 | MATH 141 |
| Calculus BC | 3 | 8 | MATH 141 and 142 |
| Calculus BC: AB Subscore | 3 | 4 | MATH 141 |
| Chemistry | 3 | 4 | CHEM 111 and 111L |
| Chemistry | 4 | 8 | CHEM 111, 111L, 112, and 112L |
| Chinese Language and Culture | 3 | 4 | CHIN 121 |
| Chinese Language and Culture | 4 | 8 | CHIN 121 and 122 |
| Comparative Government and Politics | 3 | 3 | POLI 103C |
| Computer Science A | 3 | 4 | CSCE 145 |
| Computer Science Principles | 3 | 3 | CSCE 101 |
| Drawing | 3 | 3 | ARTS 111 |
| English Language and Composition | 3 | 3 | ENGL 101 |
| English Language and Composition | 5 | 6 | ENGL 101 and 102 |
| English Literature and Composition | 3 | 3 | ENGL 101 |
| English Literature and Composition | 5 | 6 | ENGL 101 and 102 |
| Environmental Science | 3 | 4 | ENVR 101 & ENVR 101L |
| European History | 3 | 3 | HIST 101 |
| European History | 4 | 6 | HIST 101 and 102 |
| French Language and Culture | 3 | 4 | FREN 121 |
| French Language and Culture | 4 | 7 | FREN 121 and 122 |
| German Language and Culture | 3 | 4 | GERM 121 |
| German Language and Culture | 4 | 7 | GERM 121 and 122 |
| Human Geography | 3 | 3 | GEOG 210 |
| Italian Language and Culture | 3 | 4 | ITAL 121 |
| Italian Language and Culture | 4 | 7 | ITAL 121 and 122 |
| Japanese Language and Culture | 3 | 4 | JAPA 121 |
| Japanese Language and Culture | 4 | 7 | JAPA 121 and 122 |
| Latin | 3 | 7 | LATN 121 and 122 |
| Latin | 4 | 3 | LATN 301 |
| Latin | 5 | 3 | LATN 321 |
| Macroeconomics | 3 | 3 | ECON 222 |
| Microeconomics | 3 | 3 | ECON 221 |
| Music Theory | 3 | 3 | MUSC 114 |
| Music Theory | 4 | 4 | MUSC 117 |
| Music Theory | 5 | 8 | MUSC 115 and 117 |
| Physics 1 | 3 | 4 | PHYS 201 and 201L |
| Physics 2 | 3 | 4 | PHYS 202 and 202L |
| Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism | 3 | 4 | PHYS 202 and 202L |
| Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism | 4 | 4 | PHYS 212 and 212L |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 3 | 4 | PHYS 201 and 201L |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 4 | 4 | PHYS 211 and 211L |
| Pre-Calculus | 3 | MATH 001T | |
| Psychology | 3 | 3 | PSYC 101 |
| Research | 3 | 3 | UNEL 002T |
| Seminar | 3 | 3 | UELC 002T |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 3 | 4 | SPAN 121 |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 4 | 7 | SPAN 121 and 122 |
| Spanish Literature and Culture | 3 | 4 | SPAN 121 |
| Spanish Literature and Culture | 4 | 7 | SPAN 121 and 122 |
| Statistics | 3 | 3 | STAT 110 |
| Statistics | 5 | 6 | STAT 110 and STAT 206 |
| United States Government and Politics | 3 | 3 | POLI 201 |
| United States History | 3 | 3 | HIST 111 |
| United States History | 4 | 6 | HIST 111 and 112 |
| World History: Modern | 3 | 3 | HUMA 002T |
Source: AP credit policy
After college
Graduate within 6 years
79%
Come back for a second year
92%
Typical earnings
$69,024
a year, 10 years after starting here
- University of South Carolina-Columbia$74,626
- All colleges$71,390
Median yearly earnings of graduates five years after finishing a bachelor's in this major. 56 majors here have earnings data.
Keep exploring
Figures marked Estimate are our estimates, not numbers the college published. Check each college's own site before you apply. SAT is a trademark of College Board, and ACT is a trademark of ACT, Inc. Sharp is not affiliated with either, or with University of South Carolina-Columbia. The University of South Carolina-Columbia logo is a trademark of the college.