Acceptance Rate
60%
Avg. SAT
1360
75th percentile
“South Carolina's flagship stirs Gamecock spirit through top international business training and lively SEC athletics amid Columbia's Southern revival.”
Columbia, SC
Location
Midsize City
Campus Setting
Founded in 1801 as South Carolina College, the University of South Carolina-Columbia stands as the state's oldest public university and its research flagship, evolving from a small classical liberal arts school into a sprawling campus of nearly 29,000 undergraduates. Students who thrive here embrace a big-school energy—outgoing types who rally around Gamecock athletics, join Greek life, or dive into Columbia's growing food and music scenes—while those seeking intimate seminars or quiet reflection might feel lost in the crowds. The campus horseshoe anchors a classic Southern layout with red brick buildings and shaded lawns, but tradeoffs include massive introductory classes and a humid climate that turns sticky from spring through fall. Columbia, the state capital, offers a mid-sized city pulse with revitalized downtown bars, historic districts, and proximity to Lake Murray, though its moderate cost of living edges higher near campus and public transit lags behind bigger metros.
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Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Available Online
Degree Levels Offered
The Darla Moore School of Business draws students with its focused international business program, where you'll tackle real-world case studies in global trade alongside language requirements, while the School of Journalism and Mass Communications hones skills through hands-on reporting at the Daily Gamecock. Classrooms mix large lecture halls for gen eds—often 200-plus seats—with smaller upper-division seminars where professors push discussions on everything from marine biology in the Baruch Institute to public health policy. Research opportunities abound at this R1 university, especially in nanotechnology and biomedical engineering, but popular majors like business fill quickly, leaving late declarers to scramble for spots. Faculty-student interactions strengthen in honors programs, though the sheer scale means office hours book up fast.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
30,187 undergrad • 8,345 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
70%
Black / African American
10%
Hispanic / Latino
6%
Asian
4%
Other / Multi-racial
10%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Columbia, SC
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Gamecock pride pulses through tailgates on the horseshoe, basketball packed into Colonial Life Arena, and baseball nights under the lights, blending school spirit with a social scene heavy on Greek life—about a quarter of students pledge—and weekend parties that spill into nearby Five Points bars. A typical week mixes morning lectures, afternoon club meetings (from quidditch to Carolina Produce), and evenings unwinding at Russell House or the Cockaboose train car bar, with freshmen often clustered in dorms like Carolina Hall. Residential options prioritize upperclassmen for apartments, so first-years navigate shared bathrooms, and while campus feels self-contained, venturing into Columbia unlocks rooftop patios and festivals, offset by hot, stormy weather that confines outdoor plans indoors half the year.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Southeastern Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
Yes
Air Force
Yes
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Credit for military training
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Recognized student veteran organization
Yes
Member of DoD Voluntary Educational Partnership MOU
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
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Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
92%
4 Years Graduation Rate
68%
6 Years Graduation Rate
78%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$62,177
92% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at University of South Carolina-Columbia and return in the fall. 68% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 78% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
68%
4-5 years
10%
6-8 years
1%
Non-grad
21%
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Key Statistics
Type
Public
Tuition
$12,288
Acceptance
60%
Undergrads
30,187
4-Year Grad Rate
68%
Endowment
$718M
Columbia, SC 29208