University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC
The University of South Carolina (USC) is a public research university located in Columbia, South Carolina. Founded in 1801, USC is the flagship institution of the University of South Carolina System. It is a renowned institution known for its strong academic programs, vibrant campus life, and dedication to research and innovation. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including business, humanities, science, engineering, and more.
USC boasts a diverse and inclusive community that fosters intellectual curiosity and personal growth. With over 34,000 students from all 50 states and around 100 countries, students at USC have the opportunity to connect with individuals from various backgrounds and cultures. The university's faculty consists of accomplished scholars and professionals who are committed to providing students with a challenging and engaging educational experience.
Being a research-intensive university, USC is at the forefront of groundbreaking discoveries and advancements. With state-of-the-art facilities and research centers, students have the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research projects alongside renowned faculty members. The university particularly excels in fields such as nanotechnology, environmental sciences, healthcare, and social sciences.
With its vibrant student life, rigorous academic programs, and commitment to research and innovation, the University of South Carolina offers students a well-rounded and enriching educational experience. Whether students are interested in pursuing their passions, contributing to society through research, or simply enjoying a diverse and inclusive campus community, USC provides the resources and opportunities to help students achieve their goals and make a meaningful impact in their chosen field.
Located in Columbia, SC and set in an urban environment, University of South Carolina is a public university. Its campus spans 444 acres. This institution follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 64%. The freshman retention rate at University of South Carolina is 90% and the six-year graduation rate is 78%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is December 1. The transfer application deadline is July 1.
Explore this school's profile to find out the most important things about University of South Carolina.
Quick Facts
27,343
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
64%
Acceptance Rate
18:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
78%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. What are the admission requirements for University of South Carolina?
According to the newest data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 27,022 in 2023. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
33% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 17% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 21% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 54% between 1,200 and 1,399, 24% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 1% of the students between 800 and 999. The percent of new students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 48, 43 between 24-29 and 8 in the range between 18-23.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.66. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into University of South Carolina.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by December 1. When filling out the application as a transfer student, the application deadline is July 1.
64%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. That information can tell you if the majority of new students liked their first year enough to come back.
As reported in 2023, the freshman retention rate for University of South Carolina was 90%, which is an outstanding retention rate only the most prestigious institutions have.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This rate shows how many students complete their degrees in a certain number of years. The six-year completion rate at this institution is 78%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Figuring out which school is the right fit for you is not a task you should take lightly. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better idea of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at University of South Carolina in 2023 was 35,653.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 38% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 27,343, 500 of which were international students. The school admitted a total of 1,321 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 13,739 male and 18,202 female full-time students in 2023. There were 738 full-time graduate male and 1,130 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
Higer Education is committed to focusing on the diversity of its student population and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
This school had 1,143 Asian students and 2,426 Afro-American students in 2023. 1,553 students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 1,126 as multirace. The school also had 21 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 37 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 297 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to consider before applying to any college or university. Here are some details you should know about the expenses at University of South Carolina that the majority of students face.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for University of South Carolina is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
If you are an area resident, your tuition was $12,288. For students who don't live in the state in which the university is located, the tuition was $33,528 in 2023. For international students, tuition fees at this school amounted to $33,528, as well. Fees per academic year required of full-time students amounted to $400 in 2023.
| Tuition | Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $33,528 | $400 | $33,928 |
| In-State | $12,288 | $400 | $12,688 |
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to take into consideration is the approximate price of books and supplies for a college or university. Most students have to pay about $1,085 for books and supplies during their time at University of South Carolina.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at University of South Carolina was $12,435 in 2023. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school reached $6,868, according to the data from 2023.
| Tuition | $ 12,288 |
| Room and Board | $ 12,435 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,085 |
| Total Expense | $ 25,808 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all types of financial support available to students. If you are interested in finding out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at University of South Carolina, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
The most recent records show that 3,376 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average financial aid package awarded to students totaled $16,068.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
5,804 students were given some form of need-based financial aid. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 11,866. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $42,638,886, and state $39,211,608. The students of University of South Carolina received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $15,236,871, and external in the amount of $7,170,607.
$7,031
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 8,929 students overall (including freshmen) at University of South Carolina in 2023. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 3,170 full-time freshmen. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $42,638,886 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $9,062,069. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $21,533,478. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $7,196,316 USD.
Majors
Faculty
18:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
In 2023, this ratio at University of South Carolina was 18:1. That means that there were 18 times more students than teachers at this school. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 2,500. This number included 1,190 men and 1,310 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at University of South Carolina.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some information about social life at University of South Carolina.
Student Organizations
Participating in different student organizations can make your educational experience more interesting and fulfilling.
According to the most recent information, there are 500 open-membership organizations at University of South Carolina. This number includes sororities and fraternities. If you are interested in music, you can join the University of South Carolina band or chorus. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. For students who have a passion for media and communication, University of South Carolina publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
University of South Carolina offers a number of services necessary for a comfortable and secure life on campus.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a 24-hour security patrol. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of University of South Carolina.
All in all, campus life at University of South Carolina is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at University of South Carolina.
Career Counselling
At University of South Carolina, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be highly beneficial for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Being aware of the projected salary upon finishing your studies can be important in determining if a specific school is in line with your career ambitions.
The average annual salary for graduates employed six months after graduation from this institution is 53,504 USD.
$53,504
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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University of South Carolina is located in Columbia, SC.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for University of South Carolina is 64%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for University of South Carolina is 90%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.