At a Glance
University of South Carolina-Columbia is a large public university in Columbia, SC. Approximately 29,820 undergraduates are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 60% acceptance rate. Lake Murray is about 12 miles from campus. Greek life is active on campus. The school competes in NCAA Division I athletics. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 53/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)
SAT Evidence-Based Reading
SAT Math
Location
Columbia, SC
Campus Identity
University of South Carolina-Columbia is a large public university in Columbia, SC. Approximately 29,820 undergraduates are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 60% acceptance rate. Lake Murray is about 12 miles from campus. Greek life is active on campus. The school competes in NCAA Division I athletics. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 53/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
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Campus Lifestyle
University of South Carolina-Columbia is a 20,000+, urban school with NCAA D1 athletics and a greek life dominant Greek scene. The campus is 107 miles from Sunrise Park Beach, SC and 139 miles from Sapphire Valley Ski Area.
Athletics
NCAA D1
Southeastern
School Size & Setting
20,000+
Urban setting
Beach Access
107 miles
Sunrise Park Beach, SC
Weather
Warm Climate
61°F avg school-year
Greek Life at University of South Carolina-Columbia
At University of South Carolina-Columbia, 3% of men are in a fraternity and 36% of women are in a sorority. That is a substantial Greek presence: large enough to shape the social scene without being the only way into it. Figures come from the institution’s reported Greek system data. Recruitment timing and chapter counts vary year to year, so check the student life office for the current season.
3%
Men in fraternities
36%
Women in sororities
Greek Life Dominant
Greek life scale
Nearby Ski Resorts
University of South Carolina-Columbia students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Sapphire Valley Ski Area, 139 miles away with 3 lifts and 8 skiable acres. All are within 155 miles of campus.
North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina
Nearest Beach
Students at University of South Carolina-Columbia are 107 miles from Sunrise Park Beach, SC.
Sunrise Park Beach, SC
Ocean access within 107.1 miles
Nearby Lake
Lake Murray is 12 miles from campus, giving University of South Carolina-Columbia students access to boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation.
Lake Murray
Lake access within 11.7 miles
Average Monthly Temperature
1991–2020 Climate Normals · Columbia, SC
Columbia has a warm climate, with winters averaging 48°F in Jan and summers peaking around 84°F in Jul.
Station: COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY OF SC · Source: NOAA NCEI
On Campus Safety Score
2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students
University of South Carolina-Columbia in SC earns a composite safety score of 53/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.
On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.
Cost Breakdown
2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.
| Cost Item | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $12,688 | $35,972 |
| Fees | $400 | $400 |
| Room & Board | $13,624 | $13,624 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $26,712 | $49,996 |
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.
Fields of Study
248 programs offered
Most Popular Programs
Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is University of South Carolina-Columbia located?
University of South Carolina-Columbia is located in Columbia, SC. The main campus address is Columbia-Campus, Columbia, SC. It is a public institution offering 4-year degree programs.
What is the acceptance rate at University of South Carolina-Columbia?
University of South Carolina-Columbia has an acceptance rate of 60%, making it moderately selective. Out of 52,703 applicants, 31,701 were admitted in the most recent year. 29,820 enrolled.
How many students attend University of South Carolina-Columbia?
University of South Carolina-Columbia enrolls 29,820 undergraduates. That figure counts degree-seeking undergraduate students across all years, not just the incoming class, and it excludes graduate students. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What ACT score do you need for University of South Carolina-Columbia?
The middle 50% of enrolled students at University of South Carolina-Columbia scored between 26 and 32 on the ACT, with a median of 29. About 15% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.
How much does it cost to attend University of South Carolina-Columbia?
For the 2024-25 academic year, University of South Carolina-Columbia charges $12,688/year for in-state students and $35,972/year for out-of-state students. Including room and board ($13,624/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $33,928/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $22,811/year — what students actually pay. Use University of South Carolina-Columbia's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
What is the application fee for University of South Carolina-Columbia?
The undergraduate application fee at University of South Carolina-Columbia is $65. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.
Is University of South Carolina-Columbia a Division I (D1) school?
Yes. University of South Carolina-Columbia is an NCAA Division I school, part of the Southeastern. Division I is the top tier of NCAA athletics, home to the largest programs, athletic scholarships, and nationally televised games.
What percentage of students at University of South Carolina-Columbia are in Greek life?
At University of South Carolina-Columbia, 3% of men are in a fraternity and 36% of women are in a sorority. That is a substantial Greek presence: large enough to shape the social scene without being the only route into it. Figures come from the institution's reported Greek system data. Recruitment timing and chapter counts vary year to year, so check the school's student life office for the current season.
Is University of South Carolina-Columbia the right fit for me?
Whether University of South Carolina-Columbia is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (60% admit rate), avg net price ($22,811/year after aid), campus culture in Columbia, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh University of South Carolina-Columbia against similar schools side-by-side.
Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with University of South Carolina-Columbia directly for the most current information.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Public
- Location
- Columbia, SC
- Size
- 20,000+
- Degrees Offered
- Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral, Certificates
- NCAA
- NCAA D1
- Conference
- Southeastern
- School Year Weather
- Warm · 61°F avg
- App Fee
- $65
- On Campus Safety Score
- 53/100
- Nearest Airport
- Columbia, SC (CUB) · 3 mialso CAE (7 mi), MMT (14 mi)