Columbia, South Carolina · ★ 3.3 / 5 Overall (3 Student Reviews)
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Public · 4-year · Doctoral
The University of South Carolina (USC, UofSC, SC, South Carolina, or Carolina) is a public research university in Columbia, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1801 as South Carolina College, it is the flagship of the University of South Carolina System and the largest university in the state by enrollment. Its main campus is on over 359 acres (145 ha) in downtown Columbia, close to the South Carolina State House. The university is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities with Highest Research Activity". It houses the largest collection of Robert Burns and Scottish literature materials outside Scotland and the world's largest Ernest Hemingway collection.
Lots of Greek Life
Ranked #18 in Lots of Greek Life (2027). Source: Princeton Review ↗
National rank
Ranked #98 in the US by Times Higher Education (2026). Source: THE US ↗
National rank
Ranked #109 in the US by CWUR (2026). Source: CWUR US ↗
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Columbia-Campus, Columbia, South Carolina, 29208
Visit University SiteNational Universities
Ranked #127 in National Universities (2026). Source: US News ↗
World rank
Ranked #390 globally by CWUR (2026). Source: CWUR World ↗
World rank
Ranked #401 globally in Times Higher Education (2026). Source: THE World ↗
25th–75th percentile
SAT total: 1180–1380
SAT ERW: 600–690
SAT math: 580–690
ACT composite: 26–32
Total: 36,579
Undergrad: 28,470
Undergrad full-time: 27,430
Graduate: 8,109
Part-time: 4,023
In-state
Tuition: $12,688
Total cost on campus: $31,977
Out-of-state
Tuition: $34,934
Total cost on campus: $54,223
Room & board: $12,558
Books & supplies: $1,226
Receive aid: 95%
Avg grant aid: $6,762
Pell grant recipients: 19%
Rent: $740 / mo
Average city asking rent, as a roommate share. Zillow Observed Rent Index.
Coffee: $4.75
State average cafe price. Numbeo, 2024.
Gas: $4.10 / gal
State average price. AAA.
Average meal: $7.63
Published board plan, per meal. IPEDS.