University of South Carolina-Upstate admits 69.6% of applicants, meaning approximately 7 in 10 applicants receive offers of admission. This places USC Upstate in the moderately selective category, with admission rates between 50% and 75%. The peer median admission rate of 84.6% indicates that USC Upstate is more selective than typical similar institutions by about 15 percentage points. This level of selectivity means that while admission is accessible to most qualified applicants, students should still present solid academic credentials. The moderately selective admission rate allows the university to maintain academic standards while serving diverse student populations, including significant numbers of first-generation and Pell-eligible students. Prospective students should view USC Upstate as a realistic option if their academic profile aligns with the institution's standards, though they should still prepare comprehensive applications. The balance between selectivity and accessibility makes USC Upstate suitable for students seeking a public university experience with reasonable admission expectations but maintained academic rigor.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students at USC Upstate typically present solid academic credentials that reflect the institution's moderately selective standards. SAT scores for enrolled students range from 1000 to 1170, with a midpoint of 1082. The middle 50% of students score within this range, though students with scores outside these bounds are admitted in smaller numbers. SAT Math scores range from 490 to 560, while SAT Verbal scores span 510 to 610, indicating relatively balanced preparation across subjects. ACT scores range from 19 to 25 with a midpoint of 21, providing alternative pathways for students who prefer this testing format. These test score ranges place USC Upstate well above average compared to national norms, ranking at the 88th percentile for both SAT and ACT performance. The peer median SAT of 1090 shows that USC Upstate students score slightly below similar institutions by 8 points, though this difference is minimal. Students scoring within the 1000-1170 SAT range or 19-25 ACT range should feel academically competitive for admission. Those with scores below the 25th percentile should not be discouraged, as the ranges represent enrolled students rather than minimum requirements, and USC Upstate evaluates applications holistically beyond test scores alone.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
USC Upstate enrolls a diverse student body that reflects the institution's commitment to educational access. The university serves 45.5% Pell-eligible students, indicating that nearly half of enrolled students come from lower-income families qualifying for federal grant assistance. First-generation college students comprise 35.1% of the student body, demonstrating significant enrollment of students whose parents did not complete four-year degrees. Transfer students represent 49.6% of enrollment, making USC Upstate particularly welcoming to community college graduates and students changing institutions. This high transfer rate reflects the university's role as a destination for students seeking to complete bachelor's degrees after starting elsewhere. The combination of significant Pell eligibility, first-generation enrollment, and transfer accessibility indicates that USC Upstate prioritizes educational opportunity across economic and academic backgrounds. Students from lower-income families should view the 45.5% Pell share as evidence that they belong in this community, while first-generation students can take comfort knowing that more than one-third of their potential classmates share similar backgrounds. Transfer applicants should particularly consider USC Upstate given the institution's substantial experience serving this population successfully.
With a 69.6% acceptance rate, USC Upstate is accessible to most qualified applicants, though students should maintain backup options given the moderately selective admission standards.
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Students who enroll at USC Upstate experience mixed but improving outcomes in retention and completion. The freshmen retention rate of 69.3% indicates that approximately 7 in 10 first-year students return for their sophomore year, though this falls below the peer median of 73.2%. The overall six-year graduation rate of 42.4% reflects completion challenges common among institutions serving diverse populations, though it remains below the peer median of 49.3%. Notably, Pell-eligible students graduate at a rate of 49.4%, which exceeds the overall institutional rate by 7 percentage points. This positive Pell gap indicates that lower-income students actually perform better than the general population once enrolled, suggesting effective support systems for students from challenging economic backgrounds. The higher completion rate among Pell students represents an encouraging sign for prospective applicants from lower-income families. Students considering USC Upstate should understand that success requires engagement with available support services, particularly during the critical first year. The institution's demonstrated ability to support Pell-eligible students through graduation suggests that financial background need not be a barrier to degree completion for motivated students.
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