Sharp SAT prep home

    SAT and ACT in South Carolina

    South Carolina graduates in the class of 2026 averaged 1021 on the SAT (54% took it) and 18.8 on the ACT (31% took it). South Carolina has 4 state merit scholarships that can count SAT or ACT scores: Palmetto Fellows Scholarship, LIFE Scholarship, LIFE Scholarship Enhancement and Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Enhancement. The National Merit Semifinalist cutoff for South Carolina's class of 2027 is 212. We cover 20 colleges in South Carolina. For fall 2027, 2 require the SAT or ACT and 18 let you choose whether to send a score.

    average SAT, class of 2026
    1021
    National Merit cutoff
    212
    state scholarships using scores
    4
    colleges requiring the SAT or ACT for fall 2027
    2

    Average SAT and ACT scores in South Carolina

    From the official reports College Board and ACT publish each fall for the graduating class. Compare states with care: an average depends on how many students take the test.

    SATClass of 2026Graduates who took it31,717Share of the class54%Average1021524 Reading and Writing, 497 MathNational average1045
    ACTClass of 2026Share of the class31%Average18.8National average19.2

    In the class of 2026, 31,717 South Carolina graduates (54% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 1021 (524 in Reading and Writing, 497 in Math), against 1045 nationally.

    In the class of 2026, 31% of South Carolina graduates took the ACT and averaged 18.8, against 19.2 nationally.

    See where a score stands nationally with the SAT percentile calculator, or what a 1000 SAT score gets you at colleges and in scholarships.

    Sources: College Board, 2026 SAT Suite of Assessments Annual Report: South Carolina · ACT, Average ACT Test Scores by State, Graduating Class of 2026

    Testing in South Carolina high schools

    South Carolina juniors can take the SAT or ACT in school, paid for by the state; each student chooses which test, or neither. 10th graders get one state-paid PSAT or PreACT.

    From 2026-27, the Classic Learning Test is a third choice for juniors.

    Source: South Carolina Department of Education, college entrance exams · Checked October 31, 2026

    South Carolina merit scholarships

    State programs for South Carolina residents that count SAT or ACT scores. Each card shows the score and GPA minimums we track; the program's own page has every rule.

    • 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
      Details

    • 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
      Details

    • 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
      Details

    • 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
      Details

    National Merit in South Carolina

    For the class of 2027, students in South Carolina needed a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 212 to become National Merit Semifinalists. Commended Students needed 208 in every state.

    Work out your index with the Selection Index calculator, compare states in National Merit cutoffs by state, and see which colleges reward it in colleges with National Merit scholarships.

    Source: NMSC, Guide to the National Merit Scholarship Program

    Colleges in South Carolina

    Test policies for fall 2027, and the SAT and ACT scores of the middle 50% of enrolled freshmen. Largest colleges first; each links to its full page.

    University of South Carolina-ColumbiaColumbiaTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate57%SAT, middle 50%1200 to 1360ACT, middle 50%26 to 32
    Clemson UniversityClemsonTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate42%SAT, middle 50%1250 to 1400ACT, middle 50%28 to 32
    College of CharlestonCharlestonTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate73%SAT, middle 50%1160 to 1300ACT, middle 50%23 to 29
    Coastal Carolina UniversityConwayTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate70%SAT, middle 50%1060 to 1210ACT, middle 50%22 to 27
    University of South Carolina-UpstateSpartanburgTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate67%SAT, middle 50%1005 to 1175ACT, middle 50%21 to 26
    Winthrop UniversityRock HillTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate82%SAT, middle 50%1020 to 1210ACT, middle 50%20 to 26
    Lander UniversityGreenwoodTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate81%SAT, middle 50%950 to 1178ACT, middle 50%16 to 23
    Anderson UniversityAndersonTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate55%SAT, middle 50%1100 to 1280ACT, middle 50%22 to 29
    University of South Carolina AikenAikenTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate79%SAT, middle 50%1000 to 1200ACT, middle 50%19 to 26
    Charleston Southern UniversityCharlestonTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate96%SAT, middle 50%930 to 1160ACT, middle 50%18 to 24
    Citadel Military College of South CarolinaCharlestonTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate28%SAT, middle 50%1010 to 1220ACT, middle 50%21 to 26
    Francis Marion UniversityFlorenceTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate86%SAT, middle 50%870 to 1115ACT, middle 50%16 to 24
    Furman UniversityGreenvilleTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate49%SAT, middle 50%1280 to 1410ACT, middle 50%29 to 33
    North Greenville UniversityTigervilleTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate67%SAT, middle 50%1060 to 1240ACT, middle 50%20 to 28
    Wofford CollegeSpartanburgTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate52%SAT, middle 50%1198 to 1343ACT, middle 50%27 to 31
    Converse UniversitySpartanburgTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate68%SAT, middle 50%1010 to 1250ACT, middle 50%19 to 26
    Presbyterian CollegeClintonTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate65%SAT, middle 50%1155 to 1240ACT, middle 50%21 to 26
    Coker UniversityHartsvilleTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate94%SAT, middle 50%Not publishedACT, middle 50%Not published
    Southern Wesleyan UniversityCentralTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate100%SAT, middle 50%1040 to 1210ACT, middle 50%22 to 28
    American College of the Building ArtsCharlestonTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate44%SAT, middle 50%1130 to 1290ACT, middle 50%20 to 27

    To decide whether to send your score, compare it with each college's range in the submit or retake tool.

    Other states

    See every state, or browse all South Carolina colleges.

    Common questions about the SAT and ACT in South Carolina

    What is the average SAT score in South Carolina?
    In the class of 2026, 31,717 South Carolina graduates (54% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 1021 (524 in Reading and Writing, 497 in Math), against 1045 nationally.
    What is the average ACT score in South Carolina?
    In the class of 2026, 31% of South Carolina graduates took the ACT and averaged 18.8, against 19.2 nationally.
    Do South Carolina high schools give the SAT or ACT?
    South Carolina juniors can take the SAT or ACT in school, paid for by the state; each student chooses which test, or neither. 10th graders get one state-paid PSAT or PreACT. From 2026-27, the Classic Learning Test is a third choice for juniors.
    What SAT or ACT score do you need for the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship?

    The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship counts SAT or ACT scores in these 2 ways to qualify. The program's own page has every requirement.

    • 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
    What SAT or ACT score do you need for the LIFE Scholarship?

    The LIFE Scholarship counts SAT or ACT scores in these 2 ways to qualify. The program's own page has every requirement.

    • 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
    What SAT or ACT score do you need for the LIFE Scholarship Enhancement?

    The LIFE Scholarship Enhancement counts SAT or ACT scores in this way to qualify. The program's own page has every requirement.

    • 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
    What SAT or ACT score do you need for the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Enhancement?

    The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Enhancement counts SAT or ACT scores in this way to qualify. The program's own page has every requirement.

    • 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
    What is the National Merit cutoff in South Carolina?
    For the class of 2027, a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 212 or higher made a student in South Carolina a National Merit Semifinalist. Commended Students needed 208 in every state.
    Which colleges in South Carolina require the SAT or ACT?
    University of South Carolina Aiken and American College of the Building Arts require the SAT or ACT for fall 2027.
    Which colleges in South Carolina have the highest SAT scores?
    Among the colleges in South Carolina we cover, the middle 50% of freshmen scored highest at Furman University (1280 to 1410), Clemson University (1250 to 1400) and University of South Carolina-Columbia (1200 to 1360).

    Have another question? Email us at team@getsharp.app.