What is the acceptance rate at University of South Carolina-Lancaster?

University of South Carolina-Lancaster's acceptance rate is approximately 83% (Lancaster, SC), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.

How much does University of South Carolina-Lancaster cost?

At University of South Carolina-Lancaster, the average net price (after aid) is about $9,801 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.

How many undergraduates attend University of South Carolina-Lancaster?

University of South Carolina-Lancaster enrolls approximately 668 undergraduate students.

Where is University of South Carolina-Lancaster located?

University of South Carolina-Lancaster is located in Lancaster, SC.

University of South Carolina-Lancaster: Acceptance Rate, SAT & Cost — QuantAdmit

← All schools

University of South Carolina-Lancaster

Lancaster, SCpublicwww.sc.edu/about/system_and_campuses/lancaster/index.php

Acceptance

83%

Avg net price

$9,801

Earnings (10 yr)

$39,426

Admit rate has ranged 75%–88% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.

Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.

The University of South Carolina-Lancaster is a regional campus of the USC system that serves as a practical launchpad for students in the rural Piedmont region. With an acceptance rate hovering around 80%, it offers accessible pathways to associate degrees and the first two years of bachelor's programs—particularly strong in liberal arts, business, and criminal justice—before students often transfer to Columbia or other institutions. Its tight-knit campus life and affordability (net price ~$10,500) make it a pragmatic choice for local students, though its 22% graduation rate reflects its role as a stepping stone rather than a destination.

Admission requirements

Test-blind — scores not considered

Required

High school transcript
Grade point average
College-prep program

Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.

More details

Undergrad enrollment: 668
In-state tuition: $7,558
Out-of-state tuition: $18,238
Top Majors: Liberal Arts (128 degrees), Protective Services (12), Business
Acceptance Rate: 76-86%
Graduation Rate: 21.9%
Notable Earnings: Nursing ($64,533 at 10 years)
Transfer Students: 129
Admissions Contact: 800-868-5872

Outcomes & value

Median earnings (10 yr): $39,426
Value (earnings ÷ net price): 4.0×
Median debt at graduation: $9,616
Endowment / student: $18,168

Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.

Campus & location

Campus safety

On-campus violent crimes (2024): 0
Per 1,000 students: 0.00

On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.

Climate

Pleasant days / yr: 112
Summer high: 88°F
Winter low: 39°F
Annual rain: 46.7"
Annual snow: 1.5"
Natural-hazard risk: Relatively Low

Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.

Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility

Research output

Institutional h-index: 55
Scholarly works: 453

Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.

Quick answers

What is the acceptance rate at University of South Carolina-Lancaster?: University of South Carolina-Lancaster's acceptance rate is approximately 83% (Lancaster, SC), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does University of South Carolina-Lancaster cost?: At University of South Carolina-Lancaster, the average net price (after aid) is about $9,801 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend University of South Carolina-Lancaster?: University of South Carolina-Lancaster enrolls approximately 668 undergraduate students.
Where is University of South Carolina-Lancaster located?: University of South Carolina-Lancaster is located in Lancaster, SC.

Admissions

USC Lancaster is decidedly non-selective, with ranging from 76% to 86% across sources, making it one of the more accessible options in the USC system. Test scores for admitted students typically fall between 17-21 on the ACT or 910-1070 on the SAT, though some sources note these aren't always required for transfer students. The school serves primarily as a feeder for local students and working adults, with a strong transfer pipeline to USC Columbia—evidenced by its 129 transfer students in recent data. Admissions emphasizes accessibility, with a toll-free number (800-868-5872) and straightforward application requirements.