South Carolina Public Colleges with the Lowest Acceptance Rate

The average acceptance rate of the 9 public South Carolina colleges that have competitive admission is 74.22% for the academic year 2023-2024. Compared to last year, the acceptance rate is lower by 0.46%. The acceptance rate at 3 public South Carolina colleges increased and the rate of 6 colleges decreased.

Clemson University has the lowest (i.e. hard to admit) acceptance rate of 38.00%. University of South Carolina-Columbia (61.00%) and College of Charleston (72.00%) are following it in the list of Tightest South Carolina Public Colleges to get in.

This ranking is only based on acceptance rates and more admission stats such as SAT and ACT scores are helpful to measure the chances to get in more accurately.

Clemson University stays at first place of the lowest acceptance rate ranking since last year. University of South Carolina-Columbia also maintained its second place in the ranking.

The average undergraduate tuition & fees of the schools is $30,344 and graduate tuition & fees is $26,764 for the academic year 2023-2024.

We note that the actual tightness of admission lies in considering other admission requirements such as SAT score.
Table. Tightest South Carolina Public Colleges To Get In Comparison
School NameAcceptance RateYieldSAT ScoreUndergraduate Tuition & FeesTotal PopulationGraduation RateStudents to Faculty Ratio
1
-
Clemson University Clemson, SCPublic, 4-year 38.00%
4.98%
20.00%1,320$39,498
($15,554)
28,46685.00%16 to 1
2
-
University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia, SCPublic, 4-year 61.00%
3.05%
25.00%1,270$34,943
($12,688)
35,65378.00%18 to 1
3
2
College of Charleston Charleston, SCPublic, 4-year 72.00%
3.69%
14.00%1,210$36,858
($12,978)
10,88564.00%16 to 1
4
1
Winthrop University Rock Hill, SCPublic, 4-year 75.01%
5.25%
20.00%1,120$30,286
($15,956)
4,71260.00%12 to 1
5
1
University of South Carolina Aiken Aiken, SCPublic, 4-year 80.00%
4.38%
26.98%1,070$21,218
($10,760)
3,84042.00%15 to 1
5
1
Coastal Carolina University Conway, SCPublic, 4-year 80.00%
1.37%
19.00%1,120$29,628
($11,640)
10,33747.00%16 to 1
7
-
Francis Marion University Florence, SCPublic, 4-year 82.00%
0.91%
21.99%1,030$21,544
($11,170)
4,04539.00%13 to 1
7
1
South Carolina State University Orangeburg, SCPublic, 4-year 82.00%
1.90%
13.00%-$21,750
($11,060)
2,64934.00%17 to 1
9
-
Citadel Military College of South Carolina Charleston, SCPublic, 4-year 97.99%
0.59%
23.01%1,180$37,370
($12,570)
3,72170.00%11 to 1
Average74.22%20.33%1,165$30,344
($12,708)
11,59057.67%15 to 1