University of South Carolina Upstate Admissions

Organizer Information

The University of South Carolina Upstate (USC Upstate) is a public university in Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States. It offers undergraduate and graduate education through academic colleges including the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; the George Dean Johnson, Jr. College of Business and Economics; the College of Education, Human Performance and Health; the Mary Black College of Nursing; and the College of Science and Technology. Its academic offerings include visual arts, graphic design, communications, theatre, humanities, sciences, business, education, and health-related disciplines.

Key Information

• Official Institution Name: University of South Carolina Upstate
• Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
• Study Levels: Undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and certificate programs
• Degrees Offered: BA, BS, BFA-equivalent not confirmed, BIS, MS, MEd, MAT, DNP, EdS, and other listed graduate qualifications
• Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Art Education, Film Studies, Communications, Theatre, Humanities, Business, Education, Health, Science, and Technology
• Relevant Programs: Art Education (BA); Art Studio — Graphic Design (BA); Communications (BA); English (BA); Theatre (BA); Film Studies (minor); Art History (minor); Criminal Justice (MS); Informatics (MS); Business Analytics (MS)
• Language of Instruction: English
• International Applicants: Yes
• Application Period: Applications are accepted for fall and spring entry; program-specific availability may differ.
• Application Deadline: International applicants — fall 2026: 1 July 2026; spring 2027: 1 November 2026, according to the international admissions page.
• Start of Studies: Fall and spring semesters
• Application Fee: $45 general degree-seeking fee; $100 for international applicants, as stated on the international admissions page
• Tuition: Undergraduate, full-time nonresident tuition: $11,355 per semester; South Carolina resident tuition: $5,604 per semester
• Funding: University scholarships and other financial aid are available to eligible students.

Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines

USC Upstate offers programs across the arts, humanities, social sciences, business, education, health, and STEM disciplines. Relevant options for artists and creative applicants include:

• Art Education (BA): Preparation in art and education.
• Art Studio — Graphic Design (BA): Studio art and graphic design.
• Communications (BA): Includes communication-related study areas.
• Theatre (BA): Undergraduate theatre studies.
• English (BA): Literature and related humanities study.
• Film Studies (minor): An additional field of study rather than a standalone degree.
• Art History (minor): Study of art history as a secondary academic field.

The university also offers graduate degrees in fields including criminal justice, business analytics, informatics, education, exercise and sport science, and nursing. Applicants should verify the current program catalog for the specific degree and entry requirements.

General Eligibility

• USC Upstate accepts applications from domestic and international students. Applicants must satisfy the admission requirements for their intended study level and program.
• International applicants must provide academic records, demonstrate English proficiency unless exempt, and submit evidence of sufficient funding for educational expenses. International students ordinarily pay nonresident tuition unless they qualify for an approved residency classification.

Educational Background

• Undergraduate applicants: International first-year applicants must have completed secondary education equivalent to approximately 12 years of pre-collegiate study.
• Transfer applicants: Applicants with previous university study must provide relevant college transcripts. International college records require an evaluation by a NACES-approved credential evaluation service.
• Graduate applicants: Applicants must meet the admission requirements of their chosen graduate program. Requirements should be checked against the relevant graduate program page and current catalog.

Language Requirements

International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency unless exempt.

• TOEFL: Minimum 61 (internet-based), 173 (computer-based), or 500 (paper-based), according to the international admissions page.
• IELTS: Minimum overall score of 6.0.
• Exemption: TOEFL is not required for applicants whose native language is English.

For international applicants to online degree programs, the university separately lists TOEFL iBT/Home 75 or IELTS Academic 6.5. These online-program requirements should not be substituted for the general international admissions requirements.

Application Fee

The general fee schedule and international admissions page publish different amounts. Applicants should follow the fee stated for their application category and confirm any applicable waiver before payment.

Tuition

Graduate tuition for specified online programs, including the MS in Informatics and MS in Business Analytics, follows the specially priced online rate. Eligible MSN and DNP programs also list the $6,867 semester rate.

Additional mandatory fees

• Undergraduate matriculation fee: $75, one time.
• Graduate matriculation fee: $85, one time.
• Undergraduate technology fee: $140 per semester for full-time students; part-time rates are $12 per credit hour.
• Graduate technology fee: $12 per credit hour.
• Graduate security fee: $50 per semester.
• Graduate health fee: $10.50 per credit hour.
• Undergraduate health and wellness fee: $125 per semester for students taking 12 or more credit hours.
• Visual Arts Studio/Lab course fee: $60 per course, where applicable.

These figures are published rates; individual charges depend on course enrollment, program, and residency classification.

Funding & Financial Support

• USC Upstate offers university scholarships and other financial assistance. Many students are automatically considered for scholarships through their admission application, although some awards require a separate application.
• The university lists scholarships for new students, transfer students, continuing students, and out-of-state students. Award amounts and eligibility criteria differ. Some out-of-state undergraduate awards include tuition benefits, subject to the published academic and other eligibility requirements. International applicants should verify their eligibility for each individual award rather than assume that all scholarships apply to them.

University Services & Academic Support

Relevant academic resources include:

• Studio Upstate: A student-run design studio where graphic design students work on projects for real clients and develop professional portfolios.
• Visual Arts Facilities: The university identifies digital labs and visual arts facilities supporting art education and studio-based learning.
• FOCUS Gallery: A resource connected with the Art Education program.
• Internships and Undergraduate Research: Learning opportunities promoted through the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.
• Study Abroad: International learning opportunities available through the university's international programs.

Access and participation depend on the program and the relevant activity's eligibility conditions.

Application Requirements

International applicants should prepare the following materials, as applicable:

• Completed admissions application.
• Non-refundable application fee, unless an approved waiver applies.
• Official secondary-school transcripts or certificates, with English translations.
• Official university transcripts for applicants with previous higher education.
• Course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA from a NACES-approved service for international university coursework.
• TOEFL or IELTS results, unless an exemption applies.
• Financial documentation demonstrating the ability to cover educational expenses.
• Health insurance documentation, as required by the university's international admissions policy.

International applicants who have attended school in the United States must also meet the applicable freshman or transfer requirements. The international admissions page states that SAT/ACT scores should be submitted for applicants under age 22; the current admissions office should confirm the applicable testing policy.

Program-specific requirements: Applicants to the Art Education BA must meet additional requirements for admission to the professional art education program, including specified coursework, a minimum GPA of 2.75 after at least 60 credit hours, Praxis Pre-Professional Skills Test scores, and two faculty recommendation letters. Additional requirements apply before student teaching. These are progression requirements for the professional program, not universal admission requirements for every USC Upstate applicant.

The university's published descriptions of the Art Studio — Graphic Design BA emphasize portfolio development, but the cited program page does not establish a portfolio as a universal admission requirement. Applicants should consult the current catalog for any additional program-specific conditions.

How to Apply?

• Application Portal
• Alternative application route

Deadline & Timeline

• International Application Deadline — Spring 2027: 1 November 2026
• International Application Deadline — Fall 2026: 1 July 2026
• Recommended Application Lead Time for International Students: At least six months before the intended semester.
• Financial Aid Application Opens: 31 December; the university's Apply page does not specify the academic year alongside this date.
• Financial Aid Priority Deadline: 1 March; the university's Apply page does not specify the academic year alongside this date.
• Spring Semester Begins: 12 January; the year is not stated on the general Apply page.
• Fall Semester Begins: 18 August; the year is not stated on the general Apply page.

The international admissions webpage lists the fall 2026 and spring 2027 deadlines above. The 2026–2027 academic catalog gives different international receipt deadlines—15 July for fall and 1 December for spring. Because these official sources conflict, international applicants should confirm the applicable deadline with the admissions office before submitting.

Location

University of South Carolina Upstate — Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States

Additional Details

• USC Upstate's 2026–2027 academic catalog is the primary reference for current degree requirements, course descriptions, and academic regulations.
• International applicants ordinarily pay nonresident tuition unless they qualify for an approved residency classification.
• The international admissions page and academic catalog publish different application deadlines. Confirm the correct date directly with the admissions office.
• The general and international application pages also publish different application fees. Graduate applicants should consult the current graduate fee page, which states that graduate application fees are waived until further notice.
• Art Education includes additional professional-program and student-teaching requirements beyond general undergraduate admission.
• Tuition and fees may change; applicants should verify the amounts applicable to their entry term before enrollment.

Website Link: https://uscupstate.edu/admissions/