Here in this blog post, you will find details about the University of South Carolina’s acceptance rate, requirements, admission status, and more.
Being a student at a reputable institution exposes you to a certain level of knowledge and opportunity.
Now, when we talk about colleges in Carolina, home to some of the largest companies in the United States and the world, you may start to see the potential opportunities associated with getting an education at USC.
The University of South Carolina in is a private, non-profit research university founded in 1880.
This makes it the oldest private research facility in Carolina. USC has an overall acceptance rate of 69%, making it more competitive for both domestic and international applicants.
USC is now one of the elite private universities in the United States, with a wide range of world-renowned academic programs.
The institution recorded the highest-ever selection rate for the 2025 class, with over 70,000 applications and only 69% accepted.
The central campus of the University of South Carolina, commonly referred to as the University Park campus, is located in the Downtown Arts and Education Corridor of South Carolina.
The University Park campus sits on 226 acres and is home to the USC Dana and David Druncife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, Graduate Schools, and 20 Professional Schools.
In addition, USC has programs at locations throughout South Carolina. USC has more graduate students than undergraduates.
The University of South Carolina is home to the prestigious Marshall School of Business, Rossier School of Education, Andrew and Erna Viterbi School of Engineering, Gould School of Law, Keck School of Medicine, and School of Social Work.
You are not required to live on campus as a USC student, but the university does provide housing in its 40 residence halls and apartment buildings.
Over a thousand on-campus organizations, including clubs for sports and religion, offer additional activities.
The Pac-12 Conference is home to the well-known USC Trojans, who are well-known for their illustrious football programs.
So make every effort to become a member of the Trojan family and benefit from a top-notch learning environment.
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What to know about USC
Having a 69% acceptance rate, the University of South Carolina is a public research institution.
The University of South Carolina is the system’s flagship campus, and it is situated in the state capital of Columbia.
The University of South Carolina provides students with a wide range of academic opportunities with 324 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs spread across 15 colleges.
For its innovative work with first-year college students, UofSC is renowned nationwide.
In recognition of its strengths in the liberal arts and sciences, the university hosts a chapter of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa academic honor society.
It also houses one of the top undergraduate honors colleges in the nation.
The University of South Carolina Gamecocks compete in NCAA Division I athletic competition in the Southeastern Conference.
The University of South Carolina may be an option for you to consider.
The average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of students who were admitted are included in the admissions statistics that you should be aware of.
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What is USC Acceptance Rate in 2024?
The University of South Carolina had a 69% acceptance rate for the 2018–19 admissions cycle.
As a result, 69 out of every 100 applicants were accepted, making the admissions process at UofSC somewhat competitive.
With a 69% acceptance rate, the University of South Carolina admissions process is extremely selective.
This contrasts the rate of acceptance with the tens of thousands of applicants each year.
With 68.6% in 2016–2017, 68.0% in 2017–2018, 67% in 2018–2019, and a record-breaking low of 65% in 2019–20, USC’s acceptance rate has been falling in recent years.
Additionally, it is anticipated that in 2023–2024, the USC acceptance rate will increase to 68.4%.
Over 66,000 in-state and out-of-state applicants submitted applications to USC in the fall of 2020, and the overall acceptance rate was 69%.
The SAT range for those accepted to the University of Southern California is 1340 to 1530 or an ACT range of 30 to 34.
One-quarter of those who were accepted received scores above these ranges, while the other one-quarter received scores below them.
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What is USC Transfer Acceptance Rate in 2024?
- Accepts Transfers: During the fall, spring, and summer semesters, the University of South Carolina at Columbia accepts transfer students.
- Transfer Applications Received: 1,052 in the Spring of 2021 Seasonal 2021: 262 Spring 2021: 604 Transfer Applications Accepted: Fall 2021: 3,290 Seasonal 2021: 148 2021-October: 2,187 Percent Spring 2021: 57.4% accepted 2021 summer: 56.5% Fall 2021: 66.5%
- Enrolled Transfer Candidates for Spring 2021: 361 Seasonal 2021: 62 Fall 2021: 1,324
- Transfer Contracts: The South Carolina Technical College System and the University of South Carolina at Columbia maintain a bridge program. After completing 30 college-level credit hours, students can enroll in one of the 16 technical colleges and transfer to USC.
Is USC hard to get into?
Given that USC’s first-year student admission rate narrowed to 12% for the incoming class of 2025, applicants who are entering may have better chances of being accepted than first-year applicants.
Does USC Require Test Scores?
All applicants must submit their SAT or ACT scores to the University of South Carolina.
65% of accepted students who applied for admission in the 2018–19 cycle submitted their SAT scores.
According to admissions data, the majority of accepted students at the University of South Carolina scored in the top 35% nationally on the SAT.
50% of applicants to UofSC received scores between 600 and 680 on the evidence-based reading and writing section, while 25% received scores below 600 and 25% received scores above 680.
50% of admitted students received math scores between 580 and 690, 25% received math scores below 580, and 25% received math scores above 690.
At the University of South Carolina, applicants with a composite SAT score of 1370 or higher will have particularly competitive chances.
All applicants must submit their SAT or ACT scores to the University of South Carolina.
Thirty-five percent of accepted students who applied for admission in the 2018–19 cycle sent their ACT scores.
According to admissions data, the majority of accepted students at the University of South Carolina scored in the top 22% nationally on the ACT.
25% of those admitted to UofSC had ACT composite scores above 31, and 25% had scores below 25, with the middle 50% of those admitted having scores between 25 and 31.
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USC SAT Requirements
The optional SAT essay section is not required for admission to the University of South Carolina.
The admissions office will take into account your highest score from each section across all SAT test dates since UofSC participates in the score choice program.
SAT Subject Tests are not required for admission to the University of South Carolina.
USC ACT Requirements
The University of South Carolina will only take into account your highest composite ACT score; it does not super score ACT results.
The ACT writing section is optional and not required by UofSC.
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What are the Admission Requirements for USC
The University of South Carolina has a somewhat selective admissions process and accepts about two-thirds of applicants.
The main criteria for admission are high school courses, grades, and results on standardized tests.
Four units each of English and math, three of laboratory science and social studies, two of the same foreign language, one unit of fine arts, and two units of academic electives are the minimum course requirements.
The South Carolina Honors College only accepts letters of recommendation from applicants.
The majority of students who were accepted had ACT composite scores of 22 or higher, combined SAT scores of 1100 or higher (ERW+M), and high school averages of “B” or better.
Your chances of being accepted are better if those numbers are higher.
The University of South Carolina turned down a few applicants with “A” averages and excellent test scores.
Transfer Requirements for USC
- Minimum grade: Applicants from locally accredited colleges and universities must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.25 on the 4.00 scale (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0). However, some colleges and programs within the university require grades higher than these minimum college admission standards.
- Official Transcript: To be admitted to college, students must submit full official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions. Unofficial certificates can be considered at the time of application.
- Soil results: The student must submit full high school transcripts if college-level work at a locally recognized college or university is less than her 45 semester hours (60 quarter hours).
- Registration fee:$65 non-refundable application fee.
- Interview: The University of South Carolina does not conduct admissions interviews.
- Associate Degree Required: number
- Other requirements: If the college-level job is less than 45 semesters (60 quarter hours), the applicant must meet transfer and undergraduate admission requirements.
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The University of South Carolina (USC) GPA Requirements in 2024
The University of South Carolina’s incoming freshman class in 2019 had an average high school GPA of 4.0, and 80% had GPAs of 3.75 or higher.
These findings imply that A grades make up the majority of successful applicants to USC.
Of this cohort, 596 students entered Honors College with an average GPA of 4.9, and an additional 1,400 freshmen enrolled in the Capstone Scholars Program with an average GPA of 4.55.
UofSC does not mandate a minimum GPA for admission, but applicants should expect to submit a competitive GPA.
Analyzing the middle 50% of the University of South Carolina’s youngest freshman class, the student admitted to achieving a GPA between 4.1 and 4.7 and ranking in the top 7% to 28% of her graduating class. Increase.
Within this middle 50% range, her GPA among Honors College students was between 4.5 and 5.0, and she was in the top 1-5% of seniors.
Additionally, Capstone Scholars maintained GPAs of 4.2 to 4.8 and ranked among the top 4 to 18% of their graduating class groups.
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How to Apply to USC
Candidates seeking admission to the University of South Carolina are expected to meet the minimum curriculum of college preparatory courses set by the S.C. Higher Learning Commission.
These classes consist of 4 English units, 4 Bath units, three experimental science units, three social studies units, two foreign language units, one art unit, and two electives.
Eligible students may submit four components.
Collaborative or Coalition app (includes completed essay and activity section), high school transcript form (submitted by school counselor), unofficial college transcript, and a $65 fee (or fee waiver) ).
The application period closes on December 1st for regular decision applicants, and all certifications must be submitted by January 15th.
Typically, this cohort of applicants can expect to receive an admissions decision by mid-March.
Those wishing to apply to the S.C. Honors College or Top Scholar Program are encouraged to submit their materials by October 15, the early promotion date.
These students must also complete the Honors College/Top Scholars application form in addition to the general application materials.
This requires the applicant to answer her two essay prompts and her one short answer question (more on this in the next section).
In addition, these students must submit two letters of recommendation in coordination with their school advisor.
Honors College applicants should expect an admissions decision by mid-February, while top-scholar applicants are invited to a mandatory interview weekend (usually in late January).
Students receiving merit grants will be able to receive them around mid-March.
Alternative to USC
- Boston college, chestnut hills
- Drexel University, Pennsylvania
- Lafayette College, Easton
- Buckner University, Lewisburg
- Haverford College, Pennsylvania
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Frequently Asked Questions
Both sophomore and junior transfer students are accepted by USC. More General Education and Elective courses can be taken at USC if you transfer as early as your sophomore year.
These dates are when our transfer applications for 2023 will be available: Opening in Spring 2023! Fill out the transfer application if you are currently enrolled in or have previously attended a post-secondary institution other than the University of South Carolina Columbia and wish to obtain a bachelor’s degree there.
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Social Sciences, Visual and Performing Arts, Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Engineering, Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Computer and Information Sciences, and Support are some of the most well-liked majors at the University of Southern California.
Conclusions
The University of South Carolina firmly establishes its position as a top-tier institution in the United States.
A university that offers a wide range of majors to complement the multicultural makeup of its student body.
Both the overall acceptance rate and the USC acceptance rate by major shows are more selective.
You still have a chance to join the Trojan family if you earn good grades in high school, whether you are a domestic or international student.