SAT Scores for South Carolina Colleges, School by School (2026-27)

Every major South Carolina university is test-optional for admission in 2026-27, but the state's two big scholarships, Palmetto Fellows and LIFE, still require a qualifying SAT or ACT score. Published score ranges describe a cohort; they are not admission cutoffs.

The table covers 7 colleges South Carolina families apply to most, from the most selective to the large public universities. Read each cohort note before comparing numbers. The bottom rows show the score-based money South Carolina families can earn: Palmetto Fellows Scholarship and LIFE Scholarship.

South Carolina college score profiles and cohort notes

Cohort notes: Furman: 50% of Furman's Class of 2030 applied test-optional, so the 1367 figure covers only the half who submitted scores. Clemson: 38% of Clemson's enrolled first-years submitted an SAT score. USC Columbia: 32% of USC Columbia's enrolled first-years submitted an SAT score. College of Charleston: Only 19% of College of Charleston's enrollees submitted an SAT score, the lowest share in the state. Coastal Carolina: Coastal Carolina admitted 70% of applicants in Fall 2025. The Citadel: The Citadel's 2025-26 CDS shows an implausible 28.5% admit rate, so the 2024-25 figure of about 93% was used instead. Winthrop: Two tables inside Winthrop's own CDS disagree on the acceptance rate (81.8% vs 82.8%), so use about 82%. These are not interchangeable measures.

School by school

Furman University: 1367

Furman does not publish a composite SAT range for its latest class. It admitted 46.4% of 8,995 applicants (Class of 2030, fall 2026). The matching ACT range is 31. Testing for fall 2027: Test-optional (applicants choose Test Review or test-optional). 50% of Furman's Class of 2030 applied test-optional, so the 1367 figure covers only the half who submitted scores.

Clemson University: 1250 to 1400

Clemson reports a 1250 to 1400 middle 50% SAT (enrolled, CDS 2025-26, fall 2025 (median 1330); 38% submitted SAT). It admitted 42.4% of 64,805 applicants (fall 2025). The matching ACT range is 28-32. Testing for fall 2027: Test-optional. 38% of Clemson's enrolled first-years submitted an SAT score.

University of South Carolina: 1200 to 1360

USC Columbia reports a 1200 to 1360 middle 50% SAT (enrolled, CDS 2025-26, fall 2025 (median 1280); 32% submitted SAT). It admitted 56.5% of 59,630 applicants (fall 2025). The matching ACT range is 26-32. Testing for fall 2027: Test-optional through the fall, spring, and summer 2027 terms. 32% of USC Columbia's enrolled first-years submitted an SAT score.

College of Charleston: 1160 to 1300

College of Charleston reports a 1160 to 1300 middle 50% SAT (enrolled, CDS 2025-26, fall 2025 (median 1220); 19% submitted SAT). It admitted 73.0% of 32,326 applicants (fall 2025). The matching ACT range is 23-29. Testing for fall 2027: Test-optional. Only 19% of College of Charleston's enrollees submitted an SAT score, the lowest share in the state.

Coastal Carolina University: 1060 to 1210

Coastal Carolina reports a 1060 to 1210 middle 50% SAT (enrolled, CDS 2025-26, fall 2025 (median 1140, mean 1142)). It admitted 70.0% of 24,549 applicants (fall 2025). The matching ACT range is 22-27. Testing for fall 2027: Test-optional (required for some: homeschool, NCAA D-I, 1+2+1 Nursing). Coastal Carolina admitted 70% of applicants in Fall 2025.

The Citadel: 1010 to 1220

The Citadel reports a 1010 to 1220 middle 50% SAT (enrolled, fall 2025, CDS 2025-26 (29% submitted SAT)). It admitted 28.5% of 2,989 applicants (fall 2025, CDS 2025-26). The matching ACT range is 21-26. Testing for fall 2027: Test-optional. The Citadel's 2025-26 CDS shows an implausible 28.5% admit rate, so the 2024-25 figure of about 93% was used instead.

Winthrop University: 1020 to 1210

Winthrop reports a 1020 to 1210 middle 50% SAT (enrolled, CDS 2025-26, fall 2025 (median 1120); 28% submitted SAT). It admitted about 82% of 7,356 applicants (fall 2025). The matching ACT range is 20-26. Testing for fall 2027: Test-optional (CDS says no decision made yet for Fall 2027). Two tables inside Winthrop's own CDS disagree on the acceptance rate (81.8% vs 82.8%), so use about 82%.

Where South Carolina's scholarship scores sit

South Carolina's Palmetto Fellows and LIFE scholarships pay real money tied directly to SAT cutoffs.

Palmetto Fellows Scholarship: 1200 SAT. 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: 1100 SAT. 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.

A student can hold only one of Palmetto Fellows, LIFE, or SC HOPE in a year, and the GPA must be the SC UGP cumulative GPA reported to two decimals with no rounding. Both allow superscoring (best Math plus best Reading and Writing for the SAT), but a qualifying score must come before the CHE-set deadline for each application round.

The misconception: test optional means the SAT does not matter in South Carolina

Furman, Clemson, USC Columbia and College of Charleston are test optional for fall 2027, so many families assume the score is irrelevant. The ranges above come from the students who chose to send one, and they sit well above the overall class. Coastal Carolina still require a score. And Palmetto Fellows Scholarship and LIFE Scholarship are awarded on the SAT or ACT whatever the admissions policy.

Quick answers

What SAT score do you need for Palmetto Fellows?

1200 if your child also has a 3.50 SC UGP GPA and ranks in the top 6% of the class. Without the rank, the score needed is 1400 with a 4.00 SC UGP GPA. Superscoring is allowed, and for the Class of 2027 the last SAT accepted is March 6, 2027 (Early) or June 5, 2027 (Late).

What SAT score do you need for the LIFE Scholarship?

1100 (or a 22 ACT). The score is one of three criteria, and a student needs any two: a 3.0 SC UGP GPA, an 1100 SAT, or a top-30% class rank. LIFE pays up to $5,000 a year at four-year SC colleges.

Does Clemson require the SAT?

No. Clemson is test-optional for Fall 2027 and considers scores if submitted. Enrolled Fall 2025 students who sent scores had a middle 50% SAT of 1250-1400.

Is the SAT given free at school in South Carolina?

Yes. State law requires that 11th graders be offered one college entrance exam at no cost, given on a school day: the SAT, ACT, or CLT, chosen by the family. For 2026-27 the SAT windows are Oct 1-30, 2026 and Mar 1-Apr 30, 2027.

If my child applies test-optional, can they still get Palmetto Fellows or LIFE?

Yes, but they still need the score. Palmetto Fellows always requires a qualifying SAT or ACT score. LIFE needs one unless the student has both a 3.0 GPA and top-30% rank. Send official scores to the college even if admission was test-optional.

Are these ranges cutoffs?

No. A middle 50% describes the central half of the reported group, not an admission cutoff. Some rows describe enrolled students or score submitters only, as labeled. A position within a range does not guarantee admission or merit aid.

More for South Carolina families

• SAT prep in South Carolina
• South Carolina SAT test dates for 2026-27
• South Carolina scholarship score requirements
• Find your teen's target score

Sources

University and state sources: Furman, Clemson, USC Columbia, College of Charleston, Coastal Carolina, The Citadel, Winthrop, Palmetto Fellows Scholarship, LIFE Scholarship. Reviewed October 9, 2026. Cohorts and entry terms differ; confirm current requirements with each admissions office.