Is South Carolina test optional?

We haven't confirmed South Carolina's test policy for 2026–27. Check their admissions site; many colleges have changed their policy since 2020.

What is South Carolina's acceptance rate?

60% of applicants were admitted in 2024–25, according to the college's Common Data Set or, where that's missing, IPEDS, the federal college survey. In fall 2024, 31,701 of 52,703 applicants were admitted. Applications rose 105%, from 25,740 in 2015 to 52,703 in 2024, and South Carolina's admit rate went from 65% to 60%.

What ACT score do you need for South Carolina?

15% of first-year students sent an ACT, and they scored 26–32, with a median of 29. On the official ACT–SAT concordance, their SAT range of 1190–1350 works out to about 24–29.

What GPA do you need for South Carolina?

There's no published cutoff. First-year students averaged a 3.69 high school GPA, and 29% of those who reported a class rank were in their top 10%, per the Common Data Set 2024–25. Colleges compute GPA differently, so compare it loosely.

How many students get off the waitlist at South Carolina?

500 of the 2,915 students who stayed on the waitlist were admitted, or 17%, per the Common Data Set 2024–25.

All colleges

What SAT score do you need for South Carolina? (Middle 50%: 1190–1350)

First-year students at South Carolina who sent an SAT scored 1190–1350, with a median of 1270 (Common Data Set 2024–25). South Carolina admits 60% of applicants.

University of South Carolina-Columbia · Columbia, SC

Where your score lands at South Carolina

First-year students who sent an SAT: 1190–1350, median 1270

Your score

Middle 50% of admitted students Median

Enter your SAT or ACT to see which tier South Carolina is for you and whether to send your score.

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South Carolina by the numbers

Admit rate: 60%
Middle 50% SAT: 1190–1350
Median SAT: 1270
About on the ACT: 24–29
Sent an SAT: 29%

Test policy not confirmed for 2026–27 · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2024–25; admit rate from it or IPEDS

South Carolina admit rate over 10 years

Applications rose 105%, from 25,740 in 2015 to 52,703 in 2024, and South Carolina's admit rate went from 65% to 60%.

Show the numbers

Fall	Applied	Admitted	Admit rate
2024	52,703	31,701	60%
2023	46,682	28,706	61%
2022	42,188	27,022	64%
2021	42,045	25,884	62%
2020	34,957	23,894	68%
2019	31,268	21,464	69%
2018	30,889	19,480	63%
2017	26,015	18,811	72%
2016	25,057	17,073	68%
2015	25,740	16,611	65%

In fall 2024, 7,272 of the 31,701 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.

What each SAT score means at South Carolina

Which tier your score puts them in, and whether it's worth sending.

Your SATTierSend it?*

Under 1140Far reachHold
1140–1180ReachHold
1190–1260TargetHold
1270–1340TargetSend
1350 and upLikelySend

100011001200130014001500

Tiers here use only your SAT and their admit rate. Essays, activities and recommendations still decide most admissions at selective colleges. *Send it? assumes they're test optional; we haven't confirmed their policy.

South Carolina SAT sections, ACT, GPA and class rank

Scores of enrolled first-year students who sent one, by percentile.

Test	25th	Median	75th
SAT Math	580	630	680
SAT Reading and Writing	600	640	680
SAT total	1190	1270	1350
ACT composite	26	29	32

Of enrolled first-year students, 29% sent an SAT and 15% sent an ACT. Common Data Set 2024–25.

Average high school GPA: 3.69
Top 10% of their class: 29%; of new students who reported a rank

South Carolina waitlist

Waitlist

7,332 applicants were offered a spot, 2,915 took it, and 500 were admitted from it.

17%of students who stayed on the waitlist got in

Common Data Set 2024–25.

South Carolina cost and outcomes

What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.

Average net price: $22,811; per year, after grants
Graduate in 6 years: 79%
Median earnings: $62,177; 10 years after starting
Undergraduates: 31,742

College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.

Colleges like South Carolina

Similar SAT ranges and admit rates.

More colleges in South Carolina

Every college for an SAT of1190 1270 1350

Sources

South Carolina Common Data Set 2024–25
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
South Carolina website
University of South Carolina-Columbia

Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.

Questions

Still have a question? support@tryashore.com

There's no cutoff. The middle 50% of first-year students who sent an SAT scored 1190–1350, and the median was 1270. At 1270 or higher you're above half of them. South Carolina admits 60% of applicants.

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SAT Math · 1 of 5

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A jacket's price is increased by 20% and then the new price is decreased by 20%. The final price is what percent of the original price?

A $96\%$
B $100\%$
C $104\%$
D $80\%$