University of South Carolina-Columbia Acceptance Rate &
University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) is a public research university in Columbia, South Carolina, enrolling about 29,820 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 60.15% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $62,177 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $12,688
- 2024 Average Net Price: $22,811 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 60.15% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 29,820 97.3% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 78.82%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 19.5%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 0.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 16.6% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 75.1%
- Average SAT Score: 1297
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 31,742
- Applicants (IPEDS): 46,682
- Room & Board: $13,534 annual estimate
University of South Carolina-Columbia: what the data shows
Common questions about University of South Carolina-Columbia, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is University of South Carolina-Columbia?
University of South Carolina-Columbia is located in Columbia, SC (ZIP 29208).
NCES locale classification: Suburb.
Is University of South Carolina-Columbia public or private?
University of South Carolina-Columbia is a Public institution.
How much does University of South Carolina-Columbia cost?
Published tuition: $12,688 in-state, $35,972 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $22,811.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $12,634 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $14,953 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $19,859 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $24,478 |
| $110,001+ | $28,125 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $50,752.
How hard is it to get into University of South Carolina-Columbia?
Admission rate: 60.15%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1297 and midpoint ACT 29.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is University of South Carolina-Columbia?
Total enrollment: 29,820 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 31,742 students.
Graduate enrollment: 8,345 students.
About 97% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at University of South Carolina-Columbia?
150%-time completion rate: 78.82%.
First-year retention: 92.2%.
What do graduates of University of South Carolina-Columbia earn?
Median earnings: $50,621 six years after entry; $62,177 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $21,500.
19.11% of students receive Pell grants.
What is University of South Carolina-Columbia known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Finance, General (493 completions)
- Public Health, General (426 completions)
- Experimental Psychology (394 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (391 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (379 completions)
- Marketing/Marketing Management, General (351 completions)
- International Business/Trade/Commerce (340 completions)
- Sport and Fitness Administration/Management (299 completions)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (294 completions)
- Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration (233 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is University of South Carolina-Columbia a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 60.15%; completion rate 78.82%; median earnings $62,177 at 10 years; net price $22,811. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$12,688
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at University of South Carolina-Columbia was $12,688.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$22,811
2024 Value
In 2024 University of South Carolina-Columbia had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $22,811.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$91,244 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$22,811 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$50,752 4-Year In-State Tuition
$143,888 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$13,534 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,438 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$27,660 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$110,640 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for University of South Carolina-Columbia.
Financial Aid by Income Level
19.11% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
41.12% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at University of South Carolina-Columbia was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for University of South Carolina-Columbia in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $10,816 | $28,528 | $16,523 |
| 2014 | $11,158 | $29,440 | $17,622 |
| 2015 | $11,482 | $30,298 | $18,555 |
| 2016 | $11,454 | $30,882 | $19,095 |
| 2017 | $11,862 | $31,962 | $19,519 |
| 2018 | $12,616 | $33,298 | $19,219 |
| 2019 | $12,688 | $33,928 | $20,509 |
| 2020 | $12,688 | $33,928 | $20,559 |
| 2021 | $12,688 | $33,928 | $20,796 |
| 2022 | $12,688 | $33,928 | $21,044 |
| 2023 | $12,688 | $34,934 | $24,532 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
60.15% Acceptance Rate
46,682 Total Applicants
28,706 Students Admitted
7,319 First-Time Students Enrolled
25.50% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1297
ACT Average: 29
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.3 - 3.5
Estimated Median GPA: 3.40
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
University of South Carolina-Columbia reported total enrollment of about 29,820 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 41% male and 59% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (72.3%), Black or African American (9.7%), and Hispanic or Latino (6.8%). About 19.11% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 19.5% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
97.3% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at University of South Carolina-Columbia in 2024 is 29,820 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 31,742 students. Graduate enrollment is about 8,345 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
92.2%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 72.3%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
69.70% 100% Completion Time
78.82% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 69.70% of students graduating from University of South Carolina-Columbia completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Finance, General: 72% male / 28% female
- Public Health, General: 16% male / 84% female
- Experimental Psychology: 19% male / 81% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for University of South Carolina-Columbia.
Return on Investment
$21,500 Median Student Debt
$62,177 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
34.58% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
581.44% Return on Investment
3.5 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for University of South Carolina-Columbia.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 166 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Finance, General: 493 completions
2. Public Health, General: 426 completions
3. Experimental Psychology: 394 completions
4. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 391 completions
5. Business Administration and Management, General: 379 completions
6. Marketing/Marketing Management, General: 351 completions
7. International Business/Trade/Commerce: 340 completions
8. Sport and Fitness Administration/Management: 299 completions
9. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 294 completions
Most popular programs at University of South Carolina-Columbia.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for University of South Carolina-Columbia graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for University of South Carolina-Columbia from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 75.1%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $12,414
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $14,139
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
University of South Carolina-Columbia is a public institution located in Columbia, SC, classified as Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Finance, General, Public Health, General, Experimental Psychology. Enrollment is approximately 29,820 students. Student body composition includes White (72.3%), Black or African American (9.7%), Hispanic or Latino (6.8%). The admission rate is 60.15%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1297. The 150%-time completion rate is 78.82%. Approximately 19.11% of students receive Pell Grants. About 19.5% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
Location
Columbia, SC 29208
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 166 distinct degree programs, University of South Carolina-Columbia provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is USC located?
University of South Carolina-Columbia is located in Columbia, SC. The institution is also known as USC.
What is USC's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) is 60.2% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 46,682 applicants and 28,706 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does USC cost?
Reported tuition is $12,688 and average net price is $22,811 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $13,534 annually.
What is the student body demographics at USC?
University of South Carolina-Columbia reports undergraduate enrollment of about 31,742 students, White (72.3%), Black or African American (9.7%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend USC?
About 19.5% of students at University of South Carolina-Columbia are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for University of South Carolina-Columbia?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, University of South Carolina-Columbia reports midpoint SAT about 1297 and midpoint ACT about 29.
What do graduates of University of South Carolina-Columbia earn?
Median earnings are $50,621 six years after entry and $62,177 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at University of South Carolina-Columbia?
The 150%-time completion rate is 78.8% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do University of South Carolina-Columbia students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $21,500.
Is University of South Carolina-Columbia public or private?
University of South Carolina-Columbia is a public institution located in Columbia, SC.
Is University of South Carolina-Columbia an HBCU?
No. University of South Carolina-Columbia is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is University of South Carolina-Columbia a tribal college?
No. University of South Carolina-Columbia is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- South Carolina college profile
- South Carolina college costs
- South Carolina colleges by ROI
- University of South Carolina-Columbia vs Clemson University vs College of Charleston
- Columbia, South Carolina city profile
- Southeast regional profile
- Suburban college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in South Carolina
- South Carolina college costs
- South Carolina colleges by ROI
- University of South Carolina-Columbia vs Clemson University vs College of Charleston
- Columbia, South Carolina city profile
- Southeast regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in South Carolina
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.