University of South Carolina GPA (3.69) & Acceptance Rate

Q: What GPA do most the University of South Carolina Columbia students have?

78% of University of South Carolina Columbia's first-year students who submitted a high school GPA had 3.50 or higher, and the largest group (34%) had 3.75–3.99, as the college reported in its 2024–25 Common Data Set. The college doesn't say whether these GPAs are weighted or unweighted.

Acceptance rate: 60% for fall 2024

Average high school GPA: 3.69, as reported by the college for 2024–25

SAT, middle 50%: 600–680 reading and writing, 580–680 math

ACT, middle 50%: 26–32 composite

Average net price: $26,068 a year (2022–23)

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Type your GPA to compare it with what University of South Carolina Columbia reported: an average GPA of 3.69 (2024–25), an acceptance rate of 60% for fall 2024 and an ACT middle 50% of 26–32.

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A guide based on reported data, not a prediction. University of South Carolina Columbia reviews each application.

University of South Carolina Columbia average GPA

University of South Carolina Columbia reported an average high school GPA of 3.69 for its first-year students, in its 2024–25 Common Data Set. The college doesn't say whether it's weighted or unweighted.

How their high school GPAs were spread:

High school GPA	Share of first-year students
4.0	16%
3.75–3.99	34%
3.50–3.74	28%
3.25–3.49	15%
3.00–3.24	6%
2.50–2.99	1%

First-year students who submitted a high school GPA, as University of South Carolina Columbia reported in its 2024–25 Common Data Set. None had a GPA below 2.50. The college doesn't say whether these GPAs are weighted or unweighted.

An average, not a cutoffColleges calculate GPA in different ways, so these figures can't be compared directly with your own GPA.

University of South Carolina Columbia acceptance rate

University of South Carolina Columbia admitted 31,701 of 52,703 first-year applicants for fall 2024, an acceptance rate of 60%, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

University of South Carolina Columbia is a public 4-year university in Columbia, South Carolina, with 30,187 undergraduates.

SAT and ACT scores

Scores of the first-year students who entered University of South Carolina Columbia in fall 2024 and submitted them. Half of them scored between the 25th and 75th percentiles:

Test	25th percentile	Median	75th percentile
SAT Reading and Writing	600	640	680
SAT Math	580	630	680
ACT Composite	26	29	32
ACT English	25	29	34
ACT Math	24	27	30

29% submitted SAT scores and 15% submitted ACT scores, as University of South Carolina Columbia reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

The U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard estimates an average SAT score of 1297 for admitted students.

Admission requirements

What University of South Carolina Columbia looks at when it decides on first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024:

Admission factor	Status
High School GPAYour cumulative high school grade point average.	Required
College Preparatory ProgramCompletion of a college preparatory curriculum in high school.	Required
Essay or Personal StatementA personal statement or essay written for your application.	Required
High School RecordYour transcript: the courses you took and the grades you earned.	Considered if submitted
High School Class RankYour ranking relative to other students in your graduating class.	Considered if submitted
Test ScoresSAT or ACT scores.	Considered if submitted
RecommendationsLetters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or other mentors.	Not considered
Other TestsOther admission tests, such as the Wonderlic or WISC-III.	Not considered
Demonstration of CompetenciesEvidence of specific skills through portfolios, auditions, or other demonstrations.	Not considered
Work ExperiencePaid or volunteer work.	Not considered
Legacy StatusWhether a parent or other relative attended the college.	Not considered

Requirements can differ by program and applicant type, so check with University of South Carolina Columbia's admissions office before you apply.

AP credit

University of South Carolina Columbia awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.

It doesn't award credit for life experience.

Average net price

First-time, full-time undergraduates paying in-state tuition who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average net price of $26,068 a year at University of South Carolina Columbia in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Net price is the full cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have a chance at the University of South Carolina Columbia with a 3.5 GPA?

It would be on the low side there: 22% of University of South Carolina Columbia's first-year students who submitted a GPA had one below 3.5, as the college reported in its 2024–25 Common Data Set, and it admitted 60% of applicants for fall 2024. Colleges calculate GPA in different ways, so compare on the same scale and look at your courses and test scores too.

What percent of applicants does the University of South Carolina Columbia accept?

University of South Carolina Columbia's acceptance rate was 60% for fall 2024: it admitted 31,701 of 52,703 first-year applicants, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education.

How hard is it to get into the University of South Carolina Columbia?

Moderately selective: more than half of applicants got in. University of South Carolina Columbia admitted 60% of first-year applicants for fall 2024.

What GPA do most the University of South Carolina Columbia students have?

78% of University of South Carolina Columbia's first-year students who submitted a high school GPA had 3.50 or higher, and the largest group (34%) had 3.75–3.99, as the college reported in its 2024–25 Common Data Set. The college doesn't say whether these GPAs are weighted or unweighted.

Is the University of South Carolina Columbia test optional?

Check University of South Carolina Columbia's admissions website for the current rule: testing policies change from year to year. University of South Carolina Columbia was test optional: it considered SAT or ACT scores if you sent them, according to its filing with the U.S. Department of Education (fall 2024). Of its fall 2024 first-year students, 29% sent SAT scores and 15% sent ACT scores.

What GPA does the University of South Carolina Columbia look for?

University of South Carolina Columbia doesn't set a minimum GPA we could verify. Its first-year students averaged 3.69, as reported by the college in its 2024–25 Common Data Set. The college doesn't say whether that average is weighted or unweighted.

What are the University of South Carolina Columbia's SAT and ACT score ranges?

The middle 50% of University of South Carolina Columbia's fall 2024 first-year students who sent scores had SAT 600–680 in reading and writing and 580–680 in math; ACT composite 26–32, according to what the college reported to the U.S. Department of Education. A quarter scored below that range.

How much does GPA matter at the University of South Carolina Columbia?

A lot: University of South Carolina Columbia requires high school GPA, college preparatory program and essay or personal statement. It considers high school record, high school class rank and test scores if you send them. It doesn't consider recommendations, other tests, demonstration of competencies, work experience and legacy status. That's what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

Does the University of South Carolina Columbia give credit for AP exams?

Yes. University of South Carolina Columbia awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.

What do students pay at the University of South Carolina Columbia after grants?

First-time, full-time undergraduates paying in-state tuition who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average of $26,068 a year at University of South Carolina Columbia in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.

Before you apply, check the University of South Carolina Columbia's official admissions site: requirements can differ by program and change from year to year.

Sources

College Navigator: University of South Carolina-ColumbiaU.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS (2024–25 provisional data): admissions, test scores and admission factors for fall 2024, undergraduate enrollment for fall 2024, net price for 2022–23 and credit policies for 2024–25.
University of South Carolina Columbia Common Data Set 2024–25University of South Carolina Columbia: average high school GPA of first-year students and how their GPAs were spread.
College Scorecard dataAverage SAT: an estimate by the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 10, 2026 release).

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