Admissions data checked October 9, 2026 by Florida Test Prep.
University of South Carolina reports a middle 50% SAT of 1200 to 1360 (enrolled, CDS 2025-26, fall 2025 median 1280; 32% submitted SAT). We use 1280 as a first planning target, then adjust it to the student's diagnostic and timeline. It is not an admission requirement or a guarantee.
| Middle 50% SAT | 1200 to 1360 (enrolled, CDS 2025-26, fall 2025 median 1280; 32% submitted SAT) |
| Middle 50% ACT | 26 to 32 |
| GPA | 4.1 to 4.8 (weighted SC Uniform Grading Policy GPA, middle 50% of admitted freshmen) |
| Acceptance rate | 56.5% (fall 2025, 59,630 applicants) |
| Testing for 2026-27 | Test-optional through the fall, spring, and summer 2027 terms |
| Type | Public university |
Source: USC Columbia official admissions data. A middle 50% describes the central half of the reported group, not a cutoff.
32% of USC Columbia's enrolled first-years submitted an SAT score.
| School | Middle 50% SAT | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|
| Clemson University | 1250 to 1400 | 42.4% |
| University of South Carolina | 1200 to 1360 | 56.5% |
| College of Charleston | 1160 to 1300 | 73.0% |
| The Citadel | 1010 to 1220 | 28.5% |
| Coastal Carolina University | 1060 to 1210 | 70.0% |
| Winthrop University | 1020 to 1210 | About 82% |
Cohorts differ by school (admitted vs enrolled, and year). See every school with its cohort and source on SAT Scores for South Carolina Colleges.
South Carolina's Palmetto Fellows and LIFE scholarships pay real money tied directly to SAT cutoffs.
Palmetto Fellows Scholarship: SAT 1200. Up to $6,700 in year 1 and $7,500 in years 2-4 with a 3.50 SC UGP GPA and top 6% class rank (or 1400 SAT / 4.00 GPA with no rank needed).
LIFE Scholarship: SAT 1100. Up to $5,000 a year (up to $4,700 tuition plus $300 book allowance) by meeting any 2 of 3: 1100 SAT, 3.0 SC UGP GPA, or top 30% class rank.
The full rules, deadlines and class years are on our South Carolina SAT prep page.
| College | State | Middle 50% SAT |
|---|---|---|
| Baylor University | Texas | 1190 to 1370 |
| North Dakota State University | North Dakota | 1130 to 1430 |
| University of Dayton | Ohio | 1210 to 1350 |
| Bucknell University | Pennsylvania | 1170 to 1380 |
A score that is competitive at USC Columbia lands in the same part of the range at these schools. Cohorts differ by school, so read each page's notes before comparing.
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Which of these numbers is your teen's target? Pick the South Carolina colleges on their list and get a target score and the gap from today's score in under a minute.
Find my teen's target scoreThere is no published minimum; the middle half of the reported group scored 1200 to 1360. A score at or above 1360 puts a student in the top quarter of that group. A score near 1200 is within the range, and grades, coursework and the rest of the application still decide the outcome.
Yes. USC Columbia lists its policy as: Test-optional through the fall, spring, and summer 2027 terms. A score inside or above the range can still strengthen an application, and some scholarships and programs use scores separately.
56.5% (fall 2025, 59,630 applicants). Rates vary by program and residency, so read the overall figure as context, not a personal prediction.
No. A middle 50% is a description of last year's group, not a cutoff in either direction. It tells you where a score is competitive, which is the useful part for planning test dates.
Want to know what your teen needs for USC Columbia? Their target, their gap and the weeks to close it are what we map in the free Strategy Session.
Book the free Strategy Session. You leave with your teen's target score, their gap, and a 6 to 12 week plan. Yours to keep either way.
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