Campus photo
Photo: w_lemay / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia, SC
60%
Acceptance Rate
29,820
Undergraduates
$36k
Out-of-state tuition
79%
6-yr grad rate
$62k
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
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Data as of September 2026
Can I Get In?
60%
Moderately Selective
Acceptance Rate (2024-25)
Test OptionalSAT Range (2023-24)1180–1360
ACT Range (2023-24)26–32
Avg Admitted GPA (CDS 2023-24)3.70
$65 application fee
29,820 degree-seeking undergraduates (2024-25)
Public · City: Midsize
Early Action: Oct 15, 2026
Regular Decision: Dec 1, 2026
Can I Afford It?
Out-of-state tuition (2024-25)
$35,972
Average Net Price (2023-24)
$22,811
This college's average after grants, all family incomes. Not your price.
$21,500Median Debt
Median earnings 10 yrs after entry$62,177/yr
Debt-to-earnings ratio35%
Why Go Here?
$62k
Median Earnings
10 yrs after entry
18:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
29.8k
Undergraduates
Large
Public · City: Midsize
How Does It Stack Up?
#57
Deal Score in SC
of 81 rated colleges
Deal Score75
Good value
20% First-Gen Students
19% Pell Grant Recipients
43Days
Next Application Deadline
Regular Decision: Dec 1, 2026
From the school’s admissions page, checked Sep 23, 2026. The year is projected for this cycle; confirm it with the school. Source
At a Glance
University of South Carolina-Columbia is a public college in Columbia, SC. It enrolls 29,820 degree-seeking undergraduates (2024-25).
Deal Score
75
/ 100
Good value
Based on cost, earnings, & outcomes
Academics & Admissions
Student-Faculty Ratio
18:1
SAT Middle 50% / Avg GPA
1180–1360
SAT (2023-24)
3.70
GPA (CDS 2023-24)
Test Optional
Application Deadline
Regular Decision: Dec 1, 2026
via Common Application
Cost & Financial Aid
Out-of-state tuition (2024-25)$35,972
Avg net price, % of cost of attendance (2023-24)72%
Students Receiving Aid (CDS 2023-24)47%
Room & Board (2024-25)$13,534
Median Debt at Graduation$21,500
Highest-Earning Programs
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$77k/yr
Chemical Engineering$76k/yr
Computer Engineering$74k/yr
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$74k/yr
Mechanical Engineering$72k/yr
International Business$71k/yr
How to Apply
Early ActionOct 15, 2026
Regular DecisionDec 1, 2026
From the school’s admissions page; years projected for fall 2027 entry. Source
Apply via
Common Application
$65 fee
Explore Careers
Discover careers related to University of South Carolina-Columbia's top programs
The Vibe
7
Rigor
6
Career
7
Value
City: Midsize
Setting
Out of 10. Rigor from the SAT middle-50% midpoint (400 = 0, 1600 = 10); Career from median earnings 10 years after entry ($10k per point); Value is the Deal Score ÷ 10. Setting is the federal locale.
College Decoded Grades
B
Academics
B
Value
B
Outcomes
C
Diversity
Not enough data
Housing
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How much do families pay at University of South Carolina-Columbia?
| Family income | Average net price |
|---|---|
| $0 to $30,000 | $12,634 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 | $14,953 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | $19,859 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 | $24,478 |
| Over $110,000 | $28,125 |
Average net price after grants, from the federal College Scorecard. See the full Cost tab
See your real chances and true cost at University of South Carolina-Columbia