Admit rate has ranged 70%–92% 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-Union is a small, accessible public campus offering a tight-knit community and flexible degree programs—from associate to bachelor's—with a focus on practical skills and local engagement. With an acceptance rate hovering around 62-70%, it’s a pragmatic choice for students seeking affordability (especially in-state) and a stepping stone to further education or careers. While graduation rates are modest, its niche lies in personalized attention (15:1 student-faculty ratio) and unique perks like tuition-free enrollment for seniors.
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
270
In-state tuition
$7,558
Out-of-state tuition
$18,238
Notable Perk
Tuition-free for SC residents aged 60+
Acceptance Rate
62-70%
Graduation Rate
31.25% (37.5% for 2020 cohort)
Student-Faculty Ratio
15:1
Highest Degree Offered
Associate (with select bachelor's programs)
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$33,699
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
4.2×
Median debt at graduation
$11,000
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
23%
Pell (lower-income) share
82%
First-generation share
35%
Endowment / student
$7,705
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
106
Summer high
89°F
Winter low
39°F
Annual rain
46.6"
Annual snow
0.9"
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
40
Scholarly works
439
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-Union?
University of South Carolina-Union's acceptance rate is approximately 62% (Union, SC), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does University of South Carolina-Union cost?
At University of South Carolina-Union, the average net price (after aid) is about $8,065 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend University of South Carolina-Union?
University of South Carolina-Union enrolls approximately 270 undergraduate students.
Where is University of South Carolina-Union located?
University of South Carolina-Union is located in Union, SC.
Admissions
USC Union is somewhat selective, with Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. ranging from 62% to 70% depending on the year and source. For Fall 2024, the university admitted 224 out of 360 applicants. Notably, standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) are not required for admission, making it accessible to a broader pool of students. The admissions office emphasizes flexibility, even offering tuition-free enrollment for South Carolina seniors aged 60+. Contact options include a toll-free number (800-868-5872) and email (admissions-ugrad@sc.edu).
USC Union specializes in associate degrees (its highest offered degree, per U.S. News) but also provides select bachelor’s programs in Organizational Leadership, Nursing, and Liberal Studies. The curriculum emphasizes : written/verbal communication, computer technology, and critical thinking. With a , classes are small and personalized. The campus also offers for flexibility, though most bachelor’s programs are delivered on-site. Notably, the university frames itself as a gateway for students planning to transfer to larger USC system schools.
Life at USC Union is community-focused, with a "balanced student-life program" that includes cultural events, leadership opportunities, and campus celebrations (like its 60th anniversary in 2025). While resources are modest compared to larger universities, students have access to:
Flexible spaces for studying and collaboration (including a meditation room and game zone)
Local engagement through events advertised via Facebook and Instagram
Encouragement to participate in activities that build skills and cultural awareness
The campus lacks the buzz of a big school but compensates with a close-knit, supportive environment.
37.5% for the Fall 2020 cohort (a record high for the campus)
Retention rates are not prominently published, but the university highlights career-ready skills in its degree programs. Salary data for graduates is sparse, though USC system-wide reports suggest median earnings of $69,220 for bachelor’s holders. Many students likely use USC Union as a transfer pathway to larger institutions.
No SAT/ACT requirement and a 62-70% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. lower barriers to entry
Tuition-free for seniors 60+—a rare perk that fosters lifelong learning
Small classes (15:1 ratio) and emphasis on transfer pathways cater to students who thrive with individualized attention
Flexible degrees (including online options) suit working adults and commuters
It’s not a research powerhouse, but for South Carolinians seeking a low-cost, supportive start to higher education, it’s a pragmatic choice.
University of South Carolina-Union logo · sourceUSC Union - SC Picture Project · sourceUniversity of South Carolina Union - Wikipedia · sourceUniversity of South Carolina-Union - Union, SC | Appily · source
