University of South Carolina-Upstate Acceptance Rate &
University of South Carolina-Upstate is a public research university in Spartanburg, South Carolina, serving roughly 4,038 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 67.26% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $48,587 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $11,588
- 2024 Average Net Price: $13,557 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 67.26% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 4,038 87.3% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 43.04%
- Carnegie Classification: Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions
- First-Generation Students: 35.1%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 0.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 1.9% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 55.5%
- Average SAT Score: 1099
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,243
- Applicants (IPEDS): 3,557
- Room & Board: $10,533 annual estimate
University of South Carolina-Upstate: what the data shows
Common questions about University of South Carolina-Upstate, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is University of South Carolina-Upstate?
University of South Carolina-Upstate is located in Spartanburg, SC (ZIP 29303-4999).
NCES locale classification: Rural distant.
Is University of South Carolina-Upstate public or private?
University of South Carolina-Upstate is a Public institution.
How much does University of South Carolina-Upstate cost?
Published tuition: $11,588 in-state, $23,090 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $13,557.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $11,618 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $11,537 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $13,394 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $17,356 |
| $110,001+ | $19,325 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $46,352.
How hard is it to get into University of South Carolina-Upstate?
Admission rate: 67.26%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1099 and midpoint ACT 21.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is University of South Carolina-Upstate?
Total enrollment: 4,038 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 5,243 students.
Graduate enrollment: 429 students.
About 87% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at University of South Carolina-Upstate?
150%-time completion rate: 43.04%.
First-year retention: 69.8%.
What do graduates of University of South Carolina-Upstate earn?
Median earnings: $43,339 six years after entry; $48,587 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $22,310.
46.19% of students receive Pell grants.
What is University of South Carolina-Upstate known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (216 completions)
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other (193 completions)
- Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration (83 completions)
- Psychology, General (67 completions)
- Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology (63 completions)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies (55 completions)
- Computer and Information Sciences, General (38 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (38 completions)
- Speech Communication and Rhetoric (33 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (29 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is University of South Carolina-Upstate a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 67.26%; completion rate 43.04%; median earnings $48,587 at 10 years; net price $13,557. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$11,588
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at University of South Carolina-Upstate was $11,588.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$13,557
2024 Value
In 2024 University of South Carolina-Upstate had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $13,557.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$54,228 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$13,557 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$46,352 4-Year In-State Tuition
$92,360 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$10,533 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,600 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$23,721 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$94,884 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for University of South Carolina-Upstate.
Financial Aid by Income Level
46.19% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
49.30% 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-Upstate 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-Upstate 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 | $10,198 | $20,226 | $13,392 |
| 2014 | $10,518 | $20,868 | $14,659 |
| 2015 | $10,818 | $21,468 | $14,190 |
| 2016 | $11,190 | $22,188 | $14,478 |
| 2017 | $11,520 | $22,848 | $14,896 |
| 2018 | $11,852 | $23,520 | $15,506 |
| 2019 | $11,558 | $23,060 | $15,832 |
| 2020 | $11,583 | $23,085 | $15,227 |
| 2021 | $11,583 | $22,545 | $14,661 |
| 2022 | $11,583 | $22,545 | $13,466 |
| 2023 | $11,583 | $22,545 | $13,725 |
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
67.26% Acceptance Rate
3,557 Total Applicants
2,476 Students Admitted
674 First-Time Students Enrolled
27.22% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1099
ACT Average: 21
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
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-Upstate reported total enrollment of about 4,038 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 35% male and 65% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (46.9%), Black or African American (33.7%), and Hispanic or Latino (8.7%). About 46.19% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 35.1% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
87.3% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at University of South Carolina-Upstate in 2024 is 4,038 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 5,243 students. Graduate enrollment is about 429 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
69.8%
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 46.9%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
28.53% 100% Completion Time
43.04% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 28.53% of students graduating from University of South Carolina-Upstate completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 10% male / 90% female
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other: 16% male / 84% female
- Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration: 28% male / 72% 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-Upstate.
Return on Investment
$22,310 Median Student Debt
$48,587 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
45.92% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
795.98% Return on Investment
4.6 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for University of South Carolina-Upstate.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 54 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 216 completions
2. Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other: 193 completions
3. Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration: 83 completions
4. Psychology, General: 67 completions
5. Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology: 63 completions
6. Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies: 55 completions
7. Computer and Information Sciences, General: 38 completions
8. Business Administration and Management, General: 38 completions
9. Speech Communication and Rhetoric: 33 completions
Most popular programs at University of South Carolina-Upstate.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for University of South Carolina-Upstate from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 55.5%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $8,412
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $10,088
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-Upstate is a public institution located in Spartanburg, SC, classified as Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other, Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration. Enrollment is approximately 4,038 students. Student body composition includes White (46.9%), Black or African American (33.7%), Hispanic or Latino (8.7%). The admission rate is 67.26%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1099. The 150%-time completion rate is 43.04%. Approximately 46.19% of students receive Pell Grants. About 35.1% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions
Location
Spartanburg, SC 29303-4999
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 54 distinct degree programs, University of South Carolina-Upstate 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 University of South Carolina-Upstate located?
University of South Carolina-Upstate is located in Spartanburg, SC.
What is University of South Carolina-Upstate's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at University of South Carolina-Upstate is 67.3% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 3,557 applicants and 2,476 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does University of South Carolina-Upstate cost?
Reported tuition is $11,588 and average net price is $13,557 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $10,533 annually.
What is the student body demographics at University of South Carolina-Upstate?
University of South Carolina-Upstate reports undergraduate enrollment of about 5,243 students, White (46.9%), Black or African American (33.7%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend University of South Carolina-Upstate?
About 35.1% of students at University of South Carolina-Upstate are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for University of South Carolina-Upstate?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, University of South Carolina-Upstate reports midpoint SAT about 1099 and midpoint ACT about 21.
What do graduates of University of South Carolina-Upstate earn?
Median earnings are $43,339 six years after entry and $48,587 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at University of South Carolina-Upstate?
The 150%-time completion rate is 43.0% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do University of South Carolina-Upstate students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $22,310.
Is University of South Carolina-Upstate public or private?
University of South Carolina-Upstate is a public institution located in Spartanburg, SC.
Is University of South Carolina-Upstate an HBCU?
No. University of South Carolina-Upstate is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is University of South Carolina-Upstate a tribal college?
No. University of South Carolina-Upstate 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 costs
- South Carolina colleges by ROI
- Spartanburg, 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.