University of South Carolina – Columbia
School Overview: Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and More
About University of South Carolina – Columbia
School Type: Public
Religious Affiliation: Not applicable
Status: Non-profit
Military Friendly: Yes
Accreditation: regional
The University of South Carolina – Columbia is a large public university located on an urban campus in Columbia, South Carolina. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 26,864, and admissions are selective, with an acceptance rate of 62%. The university offers 85 bachelor's degrees, has an average graduation rate of 78%, and a student-faculty ratio of 18:1. Tuition and fees for in-state students are $12,288, while tuition and fees for out-of-state students are $33,528.
Rankings
Learn more about how this school compares to other schools with rankings by BestColleges.
Admissions Breakdown
Acceptance Rate Insight
62% of students were accepted during the 2021-2022 school year. Sometimes schools with midrange acceptance rates have higher standards of entry but are still accessible to many students who apply.
Retention Rate Insight
87% of full-time students stayed to continue their studies the following academic year. These students started in Fall 2020 and returned in Fall 2021.
Graduation Rate Insight
78% of students graduated out of all full-time, first-time students who began their studies in Fall 2015. Keep in mind many students who enroll are not typically first-time students, as most are adult learners. Therefore, the number of first-time students is traditionally low.
Application Considerations
Test scoresConsidered (not required)
High school transcriptRequired
High school rankRecommended
Letter of recommendationNot required or recommended
High school GPARequired
Open admissionNo
Completion of college prep programRequired
Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL)Considered (not required)
Transfer Credit Policy
Dual enrollmentYes
Credit for qualified life experience*Implied no
Advance placement (AP) creditsYes
*This can include previous jobs, trainings, licenses/credentials, or seminars. You may need to complete an exam or provide a portfolio to earn credit.
SAT & ACT
ACT 25th-75th Percentile26-31
SAT 25th-75th Percentile1150-1360
Learning Environment
Student Body Stats
36k
Students enrolled
56%
Online student enrollment
18:1
Student to faculty ratio
Ways Students Can Learn
Demographics
White
71%
Unknown
1%
Black
10%
Hispanic
5%
Two or more races
4%
Non-U.S. Citizen
5%
Asian
4%
American Indian/Alaska Native
0%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
0%
Socio-economic diversity
19% of students received an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.
Online Programs
Offers Online Programs
Yes
Online Programs
28
Total Online Enrollment
20,024
Student Location Breakout
Bar graph visual depicting student location breakout percentages.56% online, 44% on-campus.
Percent of Programs Online
90% On-campus
10% Online
Types of Online Programs Offered
CertificatesNot offered
AssociateNot offered
Bachelor's6% online
Graduate Certificate12% online
Master's15% online
Doctorate6% online
Student Charges
Tuition and Required Fees
| Student Level | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | $59,784 | $59,784 |
| Graduate | $54,672 | $54,672 |
Cost of Undergraduate Attendance
Costs based on full-time, first-time degree or certificate-seeking undergraduates for the 2021–2022 academic year.
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Books and supplies | $1,200 |
| On-campus room and board | $17,758 |
| On-campus other expenses | $2,600 |
| Off-campus (not with family) room and board | Currently unavailable |
| Off-campus (not with family) other expenses | Currently unavailable |
| Off-campus (with family) other expenses | Currently unavailable |
Total Undergraduate Cost
| Total cost by category | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| On-campus | $81,342 | $81,342 |
| Off-campus without family | $60,984 | $60,984 |
| Off-campus with family | $60,984 | $60,984 |
Financial Breakdown
Students Receiving Aid
Federal Grant Aid
59%
State Grant Aid
57%
Institution Grant Aid
67%
Pell Grant
19%
Average Aid Awarded
Financial Outlook
$22k
Average student debtafter graduation
$44k
Average salary 6 years after starting school
Varsity Athletic Teams
NCAA Division I-FCS
of the overall student body is a member of an athletic team.
Participation
- All Track Combined
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Football
- Golf
- Soccer
- Swimming Diving
- Tennis
- Beach Volleyball
- Equestrian
- Softball
- Volleyball
Degrees Awarded by Program
Degrees given for the 2021-2022 academic year.
| # | Programs | BA | MA | Doc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Area, Ethnic, Cultural, And Gender Studies. | |||
| 2 | Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, And Group Studies. | |||
| 3 | Biological And Biomedical Sciences. | |||
| 4 | Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services. | |||
| 5 | Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs. | |||
| 6 | Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services. | |||
| 7 | Education. | |||
| 8 | Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | |||
| 9 | Engineering. | |||
| 10 | Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians. | |||
| 11 | English Language And Literature/Letters. | |||
| 12 | Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics. | |||
| 13 | Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences. | |||
| 14 | Health Professions And Related Programs. | |||
| 15 | History | |||
| 16 | History. | |||
| 17 | Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting And Related Protective Services. | |||
| 18 | Legal Professions And Studies. | |||
| 19 | Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities. | |||
| 20 | Library Science. | |||
| 21 | Mathematics And Statistics. | |||
| 22 | Natural Resources And Conservation. | |||
| 23 | Parks, Recreation, Leisure, And Fitness Studies. | |||
| 24 | Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, And Kinesiology. | |||
| 25 | Philosophy And Religious Studies. | |||
| 26 | Physical Sciences. | |||
| 27 | Psychology. | |||
| 28 | Public Administration And Social Service Professions. | |||
| 29 | Security And Protective Services. | |||
| 30 | Social Sciences. | |||
| 31 | Visual And Performing Arts. |
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Data collected from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), [2021-2022]. In the absence of IPED data, information was collected directly from the school and is accurate as of the date of collection. Contact the school directly for the most current and complete information.