University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia, SC · City · 29,820 students
4
YearPublic
City
Large (10k+)
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About
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Location
Columbia, SC, 29208 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
RDU · Raleigh-Durham
182 mi away
Cost
In-state COA
$31,638
Out-of-state COA
$54,922
Avg net price
$22,811
Room & board
$13,534
In-state tuition
$12,688
Out-of-state tuition
$35,972
Books & supplies
$1,438/yr
Average net price by family income
$0–30k
$12,634
$30–48k
$14,953
$48–75k
$19,859
$75–110k
$24,478
$110k+
$28,125
Admissions
Admit rate
60%
Test policy
Test optional
SAT average
1297
Reading 600–680
Math 580–680
ACT midpoint
29
Composite 26–32
English 25–34
Math 24–30
SAT range (25th–75th percentile)
40080012001600
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Essay Requirements
University of South Carolina-Columbia accepts the Common Application. All Common App schools require the personal statement essay. Some schools also require supplemental essays — check the school's page on Common App for current prompts and word limits.
See the current Common App essay prompts for the personal statement options.
Outcomes
Graduation rate
78%
1st-yr retention
92%
Transfer-out rate
15%
Consumer completion
77%
8-year outcomes
Graduated
79%
Transferred
16%
Still enrolled
0%
Dropped out / unknown
5%
Median earnings (6yr)
$50,621
Median earnings (10yr)
$62,177
Median debt
$21,500
Monthly loan payment
$228
Debt range (25th–75th)
$8,750–$27,000
Debt (90th percentile)
$32,000
Student Body
Men 41%Women 59%
19
:1
Student : Faculty ratio
■Students ■ Faculty
Pell grant recipients
19%
First-generation
20%
Median family income
$74,190
Independent students
8%
Veterans
0%
Avg age at entry
20.0
Part-time students
3%
Race & ethnicity
White
72%
Hispanic
7%
Black
10%
Asian
4%
Two or more
4%
Non-resident
1%
Unknown
1%
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings for graduates across all programs
6 years after entry
$50,621
10 years after entry
$62,177
597
435
405
390
367
296
262
241
239
223
217
210
190
183
175
166
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Endowment
$777M
Classification
R1: Very High Research
Full-time faculty
75%
Avg faculty salary
$12,414/mo
Instructional spend/student
$14,139
Federal loan rate
41%
🎓 Wondering if University of South Carolina-Columbia is the right fit for you?
Scout builds a personalised college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.
✅Personalised reach / match / safety list
💰Financial aid & net cost estimates
🔍Deep dives on any school
🎯Scholarship search