University of South Carolina SAT & ACT Scores

USC began piloting test-optional admission with students entering in spring 2021 and has kept the policy since. It now runs through the spring, summer and fall 2027 terms and covers general admission, the South Carolina Honors College and merit scholarships. USC has not announced a policy for later terms. On the application you answer yes or no to having scores reviewed, and you can switch that choice until the credentials deadline for your round. Some applicants cannot apply test-optional, including students from high schools that use written evaluations instead of grades. When scores are used, USC superscores the SAT and the ACT across every test date. You can self-report scores; official reports are needed only if you enroll.

In the fall 2025 entering class, enrolled first-years who reported the SAT had a middle 50% range of 1200–1360 and a median of 1280. Reading and Writing scores ran 610–690, with a median of 650, and Math scores ran 580–680, with a median of 630.

32% of enrolled first-years had SAT scores in this profile. Because USC is test-optional, these figures describe only the students who chose to have SAT scores reviewed, not the whole class. Scores printed on a high school transcript are never used; USC reviews only official scores or scores you self-report in its admissions portal.

USC's admissions page also lists middle 50% ranges for admitted students, split by residency, and the nonresident ranges are higher than the South Carolina resident ranges. If you choose to send scores, a superscore at or above 1280 sits in the upper half of enrolled SAT submitters, and 1360 or higher puts you in the top quarter.

The ACT was less common at USC: 15% of enrolled first-years in the fall 2025 entering class submitted it. Their middle 50% composite was 26–32, with a median of 29. English scores ran 25–33 and Math scores ran 24–30.

USC builds an ACT superscore from your best English, Math and Reading scores across all test dates; Science is not part of it. A superscore of 32 or higher is in the top quarter of enrolled ACT submitters, while one below 26 is in the bottom quarter. In that case, applying without scores is a normal choice, since USC says students are considered fairly whether or not they submit scores.

USC offers non-binding Early Action, with applications due in mid-October and decisions by mid-December, and Regular Decision, with applications due in early December and decisions by mid-March. Honors College applicants apply by mid-November. There is no Early Decision plan.

For fall 2027, a practical target for sending scores to USC is an SAT superscore at or above 1360 or an ACT superscore at or above 32. Scores near 1280 or 29 match the middle of enrolled submitters. If yours fall below 1200 or 26, you can apply without them and still be considered for merit scholarships. Students starting college in 2028 or later should watch for USC's next announcement, since the current policy ends with the 2027 terms.

USC says high school grades are the most important factor. It looks at grades in core classes, class rank when your school reports one, and the rigor of your courses, and it recommends the most challenging classes you can succeed in, such as honors, AP, IB or dual enrollment. Your choice of major, your essay and your activities are also part of the review. South Carolina students ranked in the top 10% of their class are admitted to the Columbia campus if they meet the program's rules, which include applying by the Regular Decision deadline and completing the required college prep courses with no grade below a C.