University of South Carolina: Understanding GPA Requirements for Admission

Gaining admission to the University of South Carolina (USC) requires careful consideration of several factors, with GPA being a significant one. Understanding the GPA requirements, along with other admission criteria, is crucial for prospective students.

Admission Requirements Overview

The University of South Carolina has an acceptance rate of 60.2%, indicating that it is moderately selective. This means that while the university has certain academic expectations, it also considers other aspects of an applicant's profile. The school expects you to meet their requirements for GPA and SAT/ACT scores, but they're more flexible than other schools. If you exceed their requirements, you have an excellent chance of getting in.

GPA: A Key Academic Factor

GPA is a very important academic factor. The average GPA at University of South Carolina is 3.69. This means that USC requires you to be above average in your high school class. To meet this average, you'll need at least a mix of A's and B's, with more A's than B's.

How to Compensate for a Lower GPA

If your GPA is at or below the school average of 3.69, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate. You can compensate for a lower GPA with harder classes, like AP or IB classes. If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications.

Standardized Testing: SAT and ACT

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. University of South Carolina hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores (we'll cover this next), it's likely test flexible. Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to University of South Carolina will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students.

Read also: Your Guide to Nursing Internships

USC is test-optional through the fall, spring and summer 2026 terms.

SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. The 25th percentile SAT score is 1190, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1350. If your SAT score is currently below a 1270, it's recommended that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it.

ACT Requirements

The average ACT score at University of South Carolina is 29. The 25th percentile ACT score is 26, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 32. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 29 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can.

Test-Optional Policy

It's important to note that USC is test-optional through the fall, spring and summer 2026 terms.

What Happens After You Apply?

After you submit the application, you can check your application status on your USC Admissions Portal. You can also request changes to your application.

Holistic Review Process

Note: Your admission decision relies not only on your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, but also on your coursework difficulty, extracurriculars, letters of recommendation, and personal statements.

Additional Factors Considered

Beyond academic performance, admissions officials at University of South Carolina also consider the rigor of coursework and letters of recommendation. The university also considers your choice of major.

Extracurricular Activities

This section allows you to list and explain up to 10 extracurricular activities you’ve been involved in throughout high school. In the description, include your duties, recognitions or leadership roles. Explain the activity and your specific involvement.

Essay

The essay should be about and one that reflects on a personal experience.

Application Deadlines

Freshman admission is based primarily on a student’s academic performance. Apply as an entering first-time freshman by the Dec. 1 application deadline.

Here are some important dates:

Apply by Oct. Credentials due by Nov.
Apply by Nov. Credentials due by Dec.
Apply by Dec. Credentials due by Jan.

GPA Ranges of Admitted Students

These ranges reflect what most admitted students scored, but many are outside these ranges.

3.75+: 51%
3.50-3.74: 28%
3.25-3.49: 13%
3.00-3.24: 6%
2.50-2.99: 2%

Transfer Requirements

Transfer applicants from regionally accredited colleges and universities must have at least a cumulative 2.25 grade-point average on a 4.00 scale (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0). If fewer than 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) of college-level work have been attempted, then you must meet freshman entrance requirements. Transfer students can apply for the summer and fall terms only. Students must have at least 30 semester hours at the point of application.

Specific GPA Requirements for Transfer Students by Major:

Accounting: 3.25 on all college-level coursework and completion of USC's MATH 122 or MATH 141 (or their transfer equivalent) with a minimum grade of "C".
Advertising: 2.50 and 2.50 cumulative GPA (if student has transfer work)
Aerospace Engineering: 2.75 on all college-level coursework
Applied Sport Psychology and Counseling: 2.25 on all college-level coursework
Biomedical Engineering: 2.75 on all college-level coursework
Broadcast Journalism: 2.50 and 2.50 cumulative GPA (if student has transfer work)
Business Undeclared: 3.25 on all college-level coursework and completion of USC's MATH 122 or MATH 141 (or their transfer equivalent) with a minimum grade of "C"
Chemical Engineering: 2.75 on all college-level coursework
Civil Engineering: 2.75 on all college-level coursework
Communication: 2.25 and 2.25 cumulative GPA (if student has transfer work)
Computer Engineering: 2.75 on all college-level coursework
Computer Information Systems: 2.75 on all college-level coursework
Computer Science: 2.75 on all college-level coursework
Data Science: 2.25 and a "B" or better in at least one of the following courses, or their USC equivalent: MATH 141, MATH 142, MATH 241, STAT 509, STAT 515, or an AP or IB exam score that awards credit for MATH 142.
Early Childhood Education: 2.50 on all college-level coursework
Economics: 2.50 on all college-level coursework and completion of USC's MATH 122 or MATH 141 (or their transfer equivalent) with a minimum grade of "C"
Electrical Engineering: 2.75 on all college-level coursework
Elementary Education: 2.50 on all college-level coursework
Elementary Education - Palmetto College: 2.50 with 30 hours
English: 2.25 on all college-level coursework
Environmental Science: 2.80 on all college-level coursework
Environmental Studies: 2.80 on all college-level coursework
Exercise Science: 2.75 on all college-level coursework
Film and Media Studies: 2.25 on all college-level coursework
Finance: 3.25 on all college-level coursework and completion of USC's MATH 122 or MATH 141 (or their transfer equivalent) with a minimum grade of "C"
Francophone Studies (French): 2.25 on all college-level coursework
Geography: 2.25 on all college-level coursework
Geological Sciences: 2.25 on all college-level coursework
German: 2.25 on all college-level coursework
Global Studies: 2.25 on all college-level coursework
History: 2.25 on all college-level coursework
Hospitality Management: 2.50 on all college-level coursework
Industrial Engineering: 2.75 on all college-level coursework
Information Science: 2.25 and 2.25 cumulative GPA (if student has transfer work)
Integrated Information Technology: 2.75 on all college-level coursework
Integrated Information Technology (online): 2.75 on all college-level coursework and students are only eligible to enroll in online courses.
International Studies: 2.25 on all college-level coursework
Journalism: 2.50 and 2.50 cumulative GPA (if student has transfer work)
Liberal Studies - Palmetto College: 2.25 with 30 hours
Linguistics: 2.25 on all college-level coursework
Management: 3.25 on all college-level coursework and completion of USC's MATH 122 or MATH 141 (or their transfer equivalent) with a minimum grade of "C"
Marine Science: 2.50 on all college-level coursework
Marketing: 3.25 on all college-level coursework and completion of USC's MATH 122 or MATH 141 (or their transfer equivalent) with a minimum grade of "C"
Mass Communications: 2.50 and 2.50 cumulative GPA (if student has transfer work)
Mathematics: 2.25 on all college-level coursework and a "B" or better in at least one of the following courses, or their equivalent: USC's MATH 141, MATH 142, MATH 241, or MATH 300, or an AP or IB exam score that awards credit for MATH 142
Mechanical Engineering: 2.75 on all college-level coursework
Media Arts: 2.25 on all college-level coursework
Middle Level Education: 2.50 on all college-level coursework
Music Composition: 2.0 and successful audition
Music Education: 2.0 and successful audition
Music Industry Studies: 2.0 and successful audition
Music Jazz Studies: 2.0 and successful audition
Music Performance: 2.0 and successful audition
Music Theory: 2.0 and successful audition
Musical Theatre: 2.0 and successful audition
Music Undeclared: 2.0 and successful audition
Neuroscience: 2.25 on all college-level coursework
Nursing (lower division): 3.5 on all college-level coursework with a minimum "C" in all science (including labs) and nursing courses.
Operations and Supply Chain: 3.25 on all college-level coursework and completion of USC's MATH 122 or MATH 141 (or their transfer equivalent) with a minimum grade of "C"
Organizational Leadership - Palmetto College: 2.25 with 30 hours
Pharmaceutical Sciences: 3.00 on all college-level coursework
Philosophy: 2.25 on all college-level coursework
Physical Education: 2.50 on all college-level coursework
Physics: 2.25 on all college-level coursework
Political Science: 2.25 on all college-level coursework
Pre-International Business: 3.25 on all college-level coursework and completion of USC's MATH 122 or MATH 141 (or their transfer equivalent) with a minimum grade of "C"
Psychology: 2.25 on all college-level coursework
Public Health: 2.75 on all college-level coursework
Public Relations: 2.50 and 2.50 cumulative GPA (if student has transfer work)
Real Estate: 3.25 on all college-level coursework and completion of USC's MATH 122 or MATH 141 (or their transfer equivalent) with a minimum grade of "C"
Religious Studies: 2.25 on all college-level coursework
Retailing(emphasis in Retail Management or Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations): 2.50 on all college-level coursework
Risk Management and Insurance: 3.25 on all college-level coursework and completion of USC's MATH 122 or MATH 141 (or their transfer equivalent) with a minimum grade of "C"
Russian: 2.25 on all college-level coursework
Services Management: 2.25 on all college-level coursework and minimum 60 college credit hours earned
Services Management (online): 2.25 on all college-level coursework and minimum 60 college credit hours earned.
Social Work: 2.50 on all college-level coursework
Sociology: 2.25 on all college-level coursework
Spanish: 2.25 on all college-level coursework
Special Education: 2.50 on all college-level coursework
Sports Media: 2.50 and 2.50 cumulative GPA (if student has transfer work)
Statistics: 2.25 on all college-level coursework and a "B" or better in at least one of the following courses, or their equivalent: USC's MATH 141, MATH 142, MATH 241, or MATH 300, or an AP or IB exam score that awards credit for MATH 142
Theatre: 2.25 on all college-level coursework
Tourism Management: 2.50
Visual Communications: 2.50 and 2.50 cumulative GPA (if student has transfer work)
Women's and Gender Studies: 2.25 on all college-level coursework
Women's and Gender Studies (online): 2.25 on all college-level coursework and students are only eligible to enroll in online courses.

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