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University of South Carolina-Columbia

Columbia, SC·Public·~60% acceptance

University of South Carolina-Columbia is a public university based in Columbia, SC. Admissions are accessible, with about 60% of applicants accepted. Students pay an average net price of about $22,811 per year after financial aid. About 78% of students graduate, and alumni earn a median of about $62,177 ten years after enrolling.

Average cost
$22,811/yr avg net price after aid
Full cost $31,638
Aid cuts ~$8,827/yr on average

Average across all aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual price depends on your family's income. Take the free Matchmaker for an estimate based on your numbers.

Deadlines
ED
EA
Oct 15
RD
Dec 1

Verified source · Aug 2026

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Your fit

Blueprint scores how well University of South Carolina-Columbia matches your grades, budget, and preferences. New to Blueprint? Start with the Discovery quiz to find your best-fit majors first.

Admissions
GPA range3.51–4
SAT (middle 50%)1180–1360
ACT (middle 50%)26–32
Test policyTest optional
Programs
Computer Science
Data Science / Statistics
Information Systems / IT
Mathematics
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Environmental Science
Outcomes
78%
graduation rate
92%
freshman retention
$50,621
median earnings, 6yr
$62,177
median earnings, 10yr
How University of South Carolina-Columbia reads an application

What University of South Carolina-Columbia values

Very important
Grades (GPA)
Important
Course rigorClass rankTest scores
Also considered
Application essaysRecommendationsExtracurricularsTalent / abilityState residencyVolunteer workWork experience

From University of South Carolina-Columbia’s Common Data Set. Put your effort where it counts most.

What University of South Carolina-Columbia requires

Required
Grades (GPA)College-prep programApplication essaysTOEFL / English proficiency
Considered
Course rigorClass rankTest scores

From federal IPEDS data — what University of South Carolina-Columbia requires vs considers (not how heavily each is weighed).

Frequently asked questions
What is University of South Carolina-Columbia's acceptance rate?
University of South Carolina-Columbia admits about 60% of applicants.
How much does University of South Carolina-Columbia cost?
At University of South Carolina-Columbia, the average net price after aid is about $22,811 per year, and the full cost of attendance is about $31,638 per year before aid. Your actual price depends on your family's income. Take Blueprint's free Matchmaker for an estimate based on your numbers.
What SAT or ACT scores do you need for University of South Carolina-Columbia?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1180–1360 on the SAT and 26–32 on the ACT.
What are University of South Carolina-Columbia's application deadlines?
University of South Carolina-Columbia's deadlines are Early Action around Oct 15, Regular Decision around Dec 1. Always confirm exact dates on the school's official site.
What does University of South Carolina-Columbia value most in applicants?
In its most recent Common Data Set, University of South Carolina-Columbia rates Grades (GPA) as "very important" in admissions decisions, and also weighs Course rigor, Class rank, and Test scores. Take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see how your profile lines up.

See if University of South Carolina-Columbia is a fit for you

Two free steps: find your best-fit majors with the Discovery quiz, then run the College Matchmaker for your real admission odds and net price at University of South Carolina-Columbia, side by side with your other schools.