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University of South Carolina - Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina, United States

  • Cost of Living$ 16,980
  • Tuition Fee From$ 29,760
  • Country Rank-
  • Batch Strength33,025
  • Global Diversity5%
  • Gender Ratio55:45

Overview

About

The University of South Carolina (USC, South Carolina, or Carolina) is a public research university located in Columbia, South Carolina. It is the leader of the College of South Carolina Framework and the biggest college in the state by enlistment. Its main campus is in downtown Columbia, close to the South Carolina State House. The school is categorised as "R1: Doctoral Schools with the Most Researched Students and also contains the world's largest Ernest Hemingway collection and the largest collection of Scottish literature and Robert Burns materials outside of Scotland.

 

The university began as South Carolina College in 1801, and now offers over 350 programmes that can lead to Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees from 14 colleges and schools that award degrees. As of fall 2019, more than 35,000 students were enrolled on the Columbia research campus, making it the largest university in South Carolina. Additionally, several thousand future USC students are enrolled in feeder programmes at nearby technical colleges. Proficient schools on the Columbia grounds incorporate business, design, regulation, medication, drug stores, and social work.

Ranking

US News and World Report of 2024 has ranked the University of Carolina at #124 among National Universities. The university was also ranked at #64 in Top Public Schools and #208 in Best Value Schools. USC remains the top university for those students who had their best first-year experiences at the university. The below-mentioned rankings are published by other prominent publications:

 

  • #198 - In the World - EduRank 2024
  • #99 - In North America - EduRank 2024
  • #87 - In the United States - EduRank 2024
  • #1 - In South Carolina - EduRank 2024
  • #116 - Best Colleges in America
  • #555 - Best Value Colleges in America
  • #44 - Top Public Universities in America

 

Course Rankings:

The UG Business School is ranked 38th by US News & World Report for the year 2021, while the Graduate Business School is ranked 62nd. The PG Business & Economics courses offered by the university are rated by THE in the range of 251st - 300th for 2021, while the Global MBA courses offered by the USC are rated by QS in the range of 151st - 200th. While THE positions PG Designing and Innovation courses in the scope of 201st - 300th for the year 2021. The university’s PG computers courses are also ranked 97th by THE for the year 2021. The University of South Carolina course rankings are given below -

 

  • #10 - Best Colleges for Sports Management in America 
  • #23 - Best Colleges for Public Health in America
  • #26 - Best College Athletics in America
  • #29 - Best Colleges for Criminal Justice in America
  • #30 - Best Colleges for Kinesiology and Physical Therapy in America
  • #38 - Best Colleges for Accounting and Finance in America
  • #46 - Best Colleges for Business in America
  • #72 - Best Colleges for Information Technology in America
  • #87 - Best Colleges for Film and Photography in America

Year

QS Ranks

US News Ranks

2025

#601 - 610

-

2023

#701 - 750

#346

2022

#601 - 650

#346

Facilities

Students frequently get to socialise away from campus at Five Points and the Congaree Vista. Restaurants, bars, and cafes, in addition to a variety of local entertainment, can be found in either of these areas, which are within walking distance of campus. Students can engage in a variety of recreational activities at Lake Murray and the three rivers that surround Columbia - The Saluda River, The Broad River, and The Congaree River. Additional recreational activities can be found just a 1.5- to 2-hour drive away on the South Carolina coast, including Charleston, South Carolina, Myrtle Beach, and Hilton Head. Let’s take a look at some of The University of South Carolina’s facilities for sports in detail -

 

Sports 

There are club, intramural, and varsity sports at the university. Its 19 varsity sports groups compete in the Southeastern Meeting (with the exception of men's soccer which contends in the Sun Belt Gathering and ladies' sand volleyball which contends as an autonomous) and are known as the Gamecocks.

 

The Gamecocks have won 11 championships as a national team: Women's basketball won the NCAA Championship in 2017 and 2022; NCAA Baseball Championships in 2010 and 2011; NCAA Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championship in 2002; Women's equestrian National Championships in 2005, 2007, and 2015; and the women's equestrian Hunt Seat National Championships in 2005, 2006, and 2007.

 

Additionally, numerous NCAA individual champions, world championship medalists, and Olympic medalists have been produced by the men's and women's track and field teams. The baseball and b-ball groups have additionally delivered Olympic medalists. Other critical achievements remember 2010 SEC Eastern Division Champions for football, NCAA next in line multiple times in ladies' olympic style sports (2000, 2001, 2003, 2005), NCAA second place multiple times in baseball (1975, 1977, 2002, 2012), 1993 NCAA sprinter up in men's soccer, 2005 and 2006 NIT champions in men's ball, and the 1980 Heisman Prize victor George Rogers.

Notable Alumni

Ainsley Earhardt
Ainsley Earhardt
American television host
Lindsey Graham
Lindsey Graham
United States Senator
Alex English
Alex English
American former basketball player and coach

Courses

Admission

Acceptance Rate

The University of South Carolina - Columbia has an acceptance rate of 64% for the 2024 intake. This means that the university follows an admission policy which is moderately selective. Applicants wishing to get in have to portray grades and scores which are beyond average and exemplary. Students that get into South Carolina have an average SAT score between 1150-1360 or an average ACT score of 26-31.

 

The University Of South Carolina Entry Requirements

Students applying to undergraduate programmes are permitted to apply before finishing of their secondary schooling. Undergraduate students can apply through the UofSC Application or the Common Application and graduate students can use the Online Portal to apply. Both UG & PG programmes require the student to pay an application fee of $100. Before submitting the application, students need to keep in mind the following important University of South Carolina entry requirements -

 

UG Admission Requirements:

  • Official transcripts of previously attended institutions 
  • Aacademic qualifications in English evaluated by a recognised credential agency like WES, NACES etc.
  • SAT/ACT scores
  • Proof of finances
  • Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
  • Statement of Purpose (SOP)
  • Proof of English Langauge Proficiency Tests
  • Copy of Passport

 

PG Admission Requirements:

  • Evaluated transcripts of academic record
  • GPA or aggregate score of 3.0 which is approximately 85%
  • Proof of English Langauge Proficiency Tests
  • GRE/GMAT scores
  • 2 Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
  • Statement of Purpose (SOP)
  • Proof of finances
  • Resume or CV

 

The University Of South Carolina English Language Proficiency Requirements

 

USC requires all non-native English speakers to demonstrate English language proficiency in order to be considered for admission to its academic programmes. The proficiency requirements can be met through a variety of means, including standardised test scores (such as TOEFL or IELTS), completion of certain English language courses or programs, or by earning a degree from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction. The specific proficiency requirements and methods for demonstrating proficiency may vary depending on the programme of study, so it's important for prospective students to check with the specific department or program they're interested in for more information. Here are some of the minimum score requirements for international students -

 

Tests

Minimum Score Requirements

IELTS

6.5

TOEFL (iBT)

77

TOEFL (PBT)

550

PTE

53

DTE

115

SAT (Reading & Writing)

550

ACT (English)

22

 

The University Of South Carolina Fees

 

Glance through some of the University of South Carolina fees for the top courses below -

 

  • MS in Health Sciences: $18,064 (per year)
  • MS in Computer Sciences & Engineering: $18,649 (per year)
  • M.Eng Computer Science & Engineering: $18,649 (per year)
  • MS in Computer Sciences: $18,649 (per year)
  • MBA in International Business: $35,184 (per year)
  • MS in Engineering Management: $18,649 (per year)

 

Placements

The career centre of the university helps students in writing a resume, preparation for interviews, searching for jobs, etc. They host annual events and job fairs where employers meet with aspirants. Students are offered part-time, and full-time job opportunities in USA and internships. The handshake software is used by the students to join the events and find more details, jobs, internships.

Students and alumni are hired by employers on-campus and schedule interview dates to interview them in the Career Centre interview rooms. On average, University of South Carolina graduates earn an annual salary of $67,000.

Scholarship

USC offers many general and departmental scholarships, non-institutional to its residents and non-resident students. Scholarships awarded by the University of South Carolina are merit-based and each student is only eligible for one scholarship except for Provost Scholars Award which can be added to other scholarships.

 

Name Of The Scholarship

Amount

Stamps Scholarship

$176,000

McNair Scholarship

$183,000

Horseshoe Scholarship

$127,000

Alumni Scholars Award

Varies


 

No matter your academic programme, the university and various organisations offer numerous scholarship opportunities. These scholarships present international students with the chance to alleviate the financial strain of pursuing education abroad. Consider applying for scholarships to attend the University of South Carolina via UniScholars.

Finances

Most international students are obligated to show proof of sufficient funds to obtain a visa. While some students may have the opportunity to make use of scholarships, not all students cut the eligibility to get a scholarship or a grant. Moreover, not all scholarships cover 100% of your study abroad expenses. At such times, most students resort to acquiring education loans to avoid the financial hassles associated with studying at the University of South Carolina. For Indian students, UniCreds is the ideal education loan marketplace if you’re looking for low-interest rates and free consultation services!

Accommodation

There are several student housing options available for students planning to attend the University of South Carolina. You may select from a wide choice of affordable yet elegant student flats, halls of residence, studios, ensuites, and more! You have the option of staying on campus in the university halls of residence or a private residence. Because of their proximity to the university, on-campus housing options may be ideal; nevertheless, they tend to fill up fast and are more expensive.

 

UniAcco simplifies the process of finding student housing and offers a variety of options. As a result, students can select from a wide range of available student accommodations near the university, such as luxury studios, en-suites, and shared apartments that are more inexpensive and student-friendly.

Cost of Living

The capital of the state of South Carolina and home to the University of South Carolina is Columbia, a city that offers a variety of attractions, entertainment, and culture. The cost of living in Columbia is significantly lower than in major U.S. cities such as New York and Los Angeles. The economy of Columbia in the United States is a highly developed capitalist system, fueled by abundant natural resources and high productivity. 

 

Items

Cost

Off-Campus Accommodation 

$711

On-Campus Accommodation

$815

Transportation 

$50

Food Cost 

$457

Utility Cost 

$188

Groceries 

$36

Clothing 

$73

Entertainment Cost 

$44

Total Off-Campus Accommodation 

$1,574

Total On-Campus Accommodation

$1,766

Total 

$21,192

FAQs