University of South Carolina-Columbia
PublicColumbia, SC
The University of South Carolina traces its history back more than two centuries to its founding as South Carolina College. It has since grown into a research university comprising more than a dozen colleges and schools, including the Darla Moore School of Business, the Joseph F. Rice School of Law, and the South Carolina Honors College.
Admissions
Cost & outcomes
From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.
Where do you stand against University of South Carolina-Columbia's numbers?
Check your chances hereHow University of South Carolina-Columbia weighs your application
From University of South Carolina-Columbia's own Common Data Set, 2024-25, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?
See full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what University of South Carolina-Columbia weighs in your application
Paying it back
"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.
Majors & earnings
Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.
Campus life
Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.
What matters in your application
From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.
Frequently asked questions
What does University of South Carolina-Columbia look for in applicants?
Per University of South Carolina-Columbia's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates academic GPA as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.
What is University of South Carolina-Columbia's acceptance rate?
University of South Carolina-Columbia in Columbia, SC admits approximately 60% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.
What SAT score do I need for University of South Carolina-Columbia?
Admitted students at University of South Carolina-Columbia typically score between 1180–1360 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).
What ACT score do I need for University of South Carolina-Columbia?
Admitted students at University of South Carolina-Columbia typically score between 26–32 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).
How much does University of South Carolina-Columbia cost?
University of South Carolina-Columbia's total cost of attendance is reported at $31,638 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.
When is the application deadline for University of South Carolina-Columbia?
University of South Carolina-Columbia's earliest deadline is Oct 15, 2026 (EA), per its own published admissions calendar.
Does University of South Carolina-Columbia require students to live on campus?
No -- University of South Carolina-Columbia doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.
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