College Board data · Credit Policy

CLEP Credits at University of South Carolina Columbia

University of South Carolina-Columbia accepts 21 CLEP® exams for transferable college credit. See the accepted exams, minimum required scores, and credit hours awarded, along with other credit-by-exam and prior-learning options available at this college.

CLEP® · 21 ExamsNCCRS MemberACE Accepted
How It Works

3 steps to earn
USC credit via CLEP®.

Prep with TransferCredit
Pick your CLEP® subject. Our structured chapters and 500+ practice questions per course take you from zero to exam-ready in 4–8 weeks of part-time study. Start from USC's exam list, or with a study guide.
Sit the CLEP® exam
90-minute exam at any College Board test center. Enter USC's CLEP® code 5818 at registration — scores transmit to the Registrar automatically. Book it on College Board's CLEP® site.
Credit posts to your transcript
Credit goes on your USC transcript once the Registrar has your score — ask the Registrar how long that takes. No professor meetings, no final-paper panic — just credit. Plan which credits count with our Degree Planner.
The Exam List

Every CLEP® exam
University of South Carolina-Columbia accepts.

21 CLEP® exams organized by category, with the minimum score and credit hours awarded for each.

Tick the exams you plan to take We'll add up the credits and what you could save.
Start CLEP® prep →

Estimate: the credit hours at a $390/credit-hour public university average, minus $95 per CLEP® exam and $149 for Lifetime prep. University of South Carolina-Columbia decides how many exam credits count toward your degree.

✉️
See something outdated? CLEP® policies, minimum scores, and credit awards can change. If you spot a discrepancy with University of South Carolina-Columbia's current policy, email team@transfercredit.org and we'll update this page.
What this is worth

5 exams at South Carolina Columbia, two ways

South Carolina Columbia accepts 21 CLEP® exams. Here's what it costs to earn 15 of those credits in a classroom versus by exam.

In the classroom
$5,850
5 courses · about 75 weeks
15 credit hours$390/cr
PaceFixed semester
Books & feesExtra
vs
By CLEP® exam
$624
5 exams · study at your own pace
5 exam fees$475
Lifetime prep access$149
Same 15 creditsScore 50+
That's $5,226 you don't pay — for the same credits.

Based on a $390/credit-hour public university average. Your actual saving depends on University of South Carolina-Columbia's tuition and how many exam credits it lets you apply toward your degree.

Plan prices cover TransferCredit.org prep only. The CLEP® exam fee (currently $95) is paid to College Board at registration, and test centres may add a sitting fee. Credit awards are always determined by University of South Carolina-Columbia — check the policy above before you test.

About the university

About University of South Carolina-Columbia

The University of South Carolina-Columbia is the flagship campus of the University of South Carolina system and is located in Columbia, South Carolina. It is a public university with a large residential campus in the state capital. The institution serves undergraduate, graduate, and professional students across a wide range of fields.

USC-Columbia is known for broad academic offerings through its colleges and schools, including strong programs in business, engineering, education, public health, law, and the liberal arts. The university is also recognized as a major research institution, with opportunities for undergraduate research, graduate study, and professional training. Its size and scope give students access to many academic pathways and campus resources.

  • Flagship campus of the University of South Carolina system in Columbia
  • Public research university with broad undergraduate and graduate offerings
  • Strong professional programs in areas such as business, engineering, education, and law
  • Transfer and exam credit are evaluated through official university policies
  • Regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Transfer credit policy

How Transfer Credits Work at University of South Carolina-Columbia

For CLEP and transfer credit purposes, the University of South Carolina-Columbia evaluates prior learning and external coursework through its official academic policies. Credit-by-exam and transfer credit decisions are handled by the university rather than assumed automatically, so students should confirm how a specific exam or course applies to their degree plan. Policies can vary by department, college, and program.

Students may also have options involving CLEP®, DSST, AP, ACE, or NCCRS credits, depending on USC's current policies. Not every alternative credit source is automatically accepted, so verify eligibility before completing a course or exam.

Approved credits may count toward general education, major requirements, electives, or other degree requirements depending on the evaluation. University of South Carolina-Columbia transfer credits should therefore be reviewed against the specific degree program.

Transfer tip: Check your transfer credit evaluation and compare accepted credits with your University of South Carolina-Columbia degree requirements before planning additional coursework.
Beyond CLEP®

USC is both an ACE-aligned
and NCCRS member institution.

USC is listed as an NCCRS member on nationalccrs.org and recognized on acenet.edu. Beyond CLEP®, it may accept both ACE-recommended and NCCRS-recommended coursework — three complementary pathways to your degree. Acceptance of specific courses is determined by the USC Registrar under its prior-learning policy; confirm before enrolling.

ACE · American Council on Education
ACE Credit
ACE evaluates non-traditional learning — including corporate training, workforce programs, and credit-by-exam — and recommends equivalent college credit. CLEP® exams are also ACE-reviewed. Colleges may consider ACE-recommended coursework under their transfer credit or prior-learning policies.
Source: acenet.edu
NCCRS · USC is a Member
NCCRS Credit
NCCRS reviews non-collegiate coursework and provides college-credit recommendations for eligible learning. USC is a listed NCCRS member, so NCCRS-recommended self-paced courses may count toward its degree requirements. Acceptance depends on the program and applicable degree requirements.
Source: nationalccrs.org
How Your Credit Path Works

Two ways to earn credit.
One subscription.

If you don't pass your CLEP®, your subscription unlocks the matching ACE/NCCRS self-paced course — with a retake-able final exam. USC decides which credit it accepts, so check with the Registrar first.

Watch how it works
📝
Step 1
Take your CLEP®
exam
Prep with chapters & 500+ questions
⋯
Outcome
Awaiting
result
Pass, or pivot
🎟️
Safety Net
ACE/NCCRS
included
Self-paced · retake-able exam
Ready. Pass, or pivot to ACE/NCCRS.

ACE & NCCRS courses USC may accept

Self-paced courses across general education and major requirements may carry an official ACE or NCCRS credit recommendation and can be submitted to the Registrar for transfer credit review.

USC is both an ACE-aligned institution (per acenet.edu) and an NCCRS member (per nationalccrs.org). Acceptance of specific courses is determined at the Registrar's discretion under prior-learning policy — confirm with your registrar before enrolling.

Subjects with a link go to the matching CLEP® or DSST study guide on TransferCredit.org.

Business & Accounting

20 courses · 60 credits
Managerial Accounting 3cr Financial Accounting 3cr Business Essentials 3cr Principles of Management 3cr Foundations of Leadership 3cr Leadership & Organizational Behavior 3cr Business Communication 3cr Business Ethics 3cr Leading Organizational Change 3cr Project Management 3cr Business Law 3cr International Business 3cr Human Resources Management 3cr Globalization & International Mgmt. 3cr Entrepreneurship 3cr Microeconomics 3cr Macroeconomics 3cr Principles of Finance 3cr Financial Management 3cr Principles of Marketing 3cr

English, Writing & Humanities

7 courses · 21 credits
Advanced Technical Writing 3cr English Composition I 3cr English Composition II 3cr College Writing 3cr Humanities 201: Critical Thinking 3cr Art History I 3cr Art History II 3cr

Mathematics

9 courses · 31 credits
Business Math 3cr College Algebra 3cr Pre-Calculus 3cr Calculus 1 4cr Calculus 2 4cr Calculus 3 4cr Discrete Mathematics 4cr Quantitative Analysis 3cr Principles of Statistics 3cr

Computer Science & IT

22 courses · 66 credits
Current Trends in CS & IT 3cr Computer Concepts & Applications 3cr Introduction to HTML & CSS 3cr Introduction to JavaScript 3cr Ethics in Technology 3cr Introduction to Networking 3cr Fundamentals of Information Technology 3cr Introduction to Linux 3cr Introduction to Java 3cr Programming in Python 3cr Introduction to Computing 3cr Programming in C 3cr Programming in C++ 3cr Data Structures & Algorithms 3cr Network & Systems Security 3cr Cybersecurity 3cr Database Fundamentals 3cr Software Engineering 3cr Introduction to Operating Systems 3cr Introduction to Artificial Intelligence 3cr Database Programming 3cr Systems Analysis & Design 3cr

Health Sciences

8 courses · 20 credits
Medical Terminology 3cr Healthcare Finance & Budgeting 3cr Healthcare Organization & Management 3cr HR Management in Healthcare 3cr Anatomy & Physiology I 3cr Anatomy & Physiology I Lab 1cr Anatomy & Physiology II 3cr Anatomy & Physiology II Lab 1cr

Natural Sciences

5 courses · 13 credits
Introduction to Biology 1 3cr Introduction to Biology 2 3cr Chemistry I 3cr Physics I 3cr Environmental Science 1cr

Psychology & Social Science

11 courses · 33 credits
Introduction to Psychology 3cr Research Methods in Psychology 3cr Psychology of Diversity 3cr Educational Psychology 3cr Abnormal Psychology 3cr Psychology of Personality 3cr Advanced Social Psychology 3cr Ethics in the Social Sciences 3cr Introduction to Sociology 3cr Introduction to Criminology 3cr Principles of Philosophy 3cr

History & Languages

3 courses · 9 credits
Why TransferCredit.org

The prep tool built for
USC's bar.

USC's minimum CLEP® scores run 50 – 65. Generic flashcard apps aim for "passing." We're built for acing.

📖
Structured chapters & subchapters
Not flashcards. Every subject is broken into chapters and subchapters mapped directly to the College Board exam outline — you learn the material, not memorize trivia.
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Readiness quizzes per topic
Short quizzes after each subchapter. Your readiness score tells you when you're actually ready for the target minimum — no guessing, no wasted exam fees.
❓
500+ questions per course
Every subject ships with 500+ practice questions calibrated to real exam difficulty.
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ACE/NCCRS backup included
If CLEP® doesn't work out, your subscription unlocks the matching ACE/NCCRS course with a retake-able final exam.
⏱
Self-paced, no deadlines
Study on your schedule. Complete prep in 2 weeks or 12 — whatever works. Especially useful for adult learners, military, and working students.
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One subscription, every subject
Prep for 25+ CLEP® subjects under one plan. No per-course fees. At ~$29/mo vs. $300–600 per credit — the math is obvious.
Everything You Need

One subscription.
Everything unlocked.

📚
25+
CLEP® Subjects
College Board's most popular exams, covered in depth with official exam-outline alignment.
❓
500+
Questions per course
Exam-calibrated practice tests with detailed explanations for every answer.
🎓
70+
ACE/NCCRS courses
Full catalog via partner — your CLEP® safety net and credit-direct path.
🧑‍🏫
∞
Expert help
Subject-matter experts available when you're stuck on a concept or a question.
Student Reviews

What students
are saying.

Hover to pause

A
Aiden K.
CLEP® Principles of Microeconomics
★★★★★
Finance freshman. Wanted to prove out of Econ 101. Studied 3 weeks, aced it. Feels way faster than sitting in lecture for 15 weeks.
V
Violet O.
CLEP® Introductory Business Law
★★★★★
Business minor needing an elective. Studied contract law + torts hard. Exam was direct — if you know the concepts, you pass. I passed.
G
Gabriel T.
CLEP® Precalculus
★★★★★
Engineering major, needed precalc out of the way. Studied two weekends. Exam was focused on stuff I already knew from trig. Easy win.
R
Roman P.
CLEP® Principles of Macroeconomics
★★★★★
Econ junkie. Podcast listener. This exam was fun. Scored a 72. Credit posted two weeks after the test. Smooth process end to end.
B
Brandon C.
NCCRS · Project Management
★★★★★
No CLEP® exists for Project Management, so the NCCRS course was the only path. Did it in 18 days. My university accepted it no questions.
T
Theo L.
NCCRS · Leadership & Org Behavior
★★★★★
Middle manager pursuing an MBA. The course was more academic than I expected — rigorous, actually taught me something. Credit earned.
E
Elias R.
ACE · Entrepreneurship
★★★★★
Running my own company at 22. The course material was basic for me but the credit mattered for finishing my degree. Took one weekend.
M
Marcus D.
CLEP® College Composition
★★★★★
I'd tried three other prep platforms before this. The structured chapters finally made the essay section click for me.
A
Aiden K.
CLEP® Principles of Microeconomics
★★★★★
Finance freshman. Wanted to prove out of Econ 101. Studied 3 weeks, aced it. Feels way faster than sitting in lecture for 15 weeks.
V
Violet O.
CLEP® Introductory Business Law
★★★★★
Business minor needing an elective. Studied contract law + torts hard. Exam was direct — if you know the concepts, you pass. I passed.
G
Gabriel T.
CLEP® Precalculus
★★★★★
Engineering major, needed precalc out of the way. Studied two weekends. Exam was focused on stuff I already knew from trig. Easy win.
R
Roman P.
CLEP® Principles of Macroeconomics
★★★★★
Econ junkie. Podcast listener. This exam was fun. Scored a 72. Credit posted two weeks after the test. Smooth process end to end.
B
Brandon C.
NCCRS · Project Management
★★★★★
No CLEP® exists for Project Management, so the NCCRS course was the only path. Did it in 18 days. My university accepted it no questions.
T
Theo L.
NCCRS · Leadership & Org Behavior
★★★★★
Middle manager pursuing an MBA. The course was more academic than I expected — rigorous, actually taught me something. Credit earned.
E
Elias R.
ACE · Entrepreneurship
★★★★★
Running my own company at 22. The course material was basic for me but the credit mattered for finishing my degree. Took one weekend.
M
Marcus D.
CLEP® College Composition
★★★★★
I'd tried three other prep platforms before this. The structured chapters finally made the essay section click for me.
How TransferCredit.org Works

The policy,
in plain English.

We're a credit-by-exam prep provider offering ACE/NCCRS coursework through our partners. These pathways provide official records that can be submitted to USC's Registrar for transfer credit evaluation.

The Product

What you get with TransferCredit

  • Structured CLEP® prep for 25+ exams, with chapters, subchapters, and 500+ practice questions per subject
  • Access to 70+ ACE/NCCRS courses through our partner network — self-paced, flexible, and designed for college credit
  • Readiness tracker to help determine when to book a CLEP® exam or continue preparing
  • Official transcripts through the ACE Credit Registry (Credly) and applicable NCCRS providers for transfer credit evaluation
  • Pass-or-pivot option — a CLEP® setback may provide access to a matching ACE/NCCRS course
The Transfer

How credit reaches USC

  • CLEP® path: Enter USC's CLEP® code 5818 during registration so College Board can send your scores for credit evaluation
  • DSST path: Submit your DSST score through the institution's designated transfer credit process
  • NCCRS path: Complete the course, receive the applicable NCCRS transcript, and submit it to the Registrar
  • Consolidation option: Eligible ACE/NCCRS credits may be combined through transcript services such as Excelsior University's OneTranscript
  • Credit posting: Processing time varies by college and depends on when the Registrar receives and evaluates your transfer credits
Which Pathway For You

CLEP®, ACE/NCCRS,
or community college?

Three legitimate ways to earn USC credit without sitting in a 15-week university classroom. Here's the honest comparison.

⚡ Fastest
🎯
CLEP® Exam
Format90-min exam
Time to credit4–8 weeks prep
Cost$93 exam + prep
USC acceptsYes · 21 subjects
RiskSingle high-stakes exam
Best for: Confident test-takers who want fastest turnaround and lowest cost per credit.
📖
ACE/NCCRS Course
FormatSelf-paced + retake-able final
Time to credit2–6 weeks / course
CostIncluded in subscription
USC acceptsYes · Cooperating College
RiskLow · unlimited retakes
Best for: Students who prefer structured learning over high-stakes exams, or who didn't pass a CLEP® first try.
🏫
Community College
Format15-week semester
Time to credit4–6 months
Cost$300–600 per credit
USC acceptsUsually · articulation agreements
RiskLow · familiar format
Best for: Students who want a traditional classroom experience and are not time-constrained.
FAQ

Questions, answered.

How many CLEP® exams does University of South Carolina-Columbia accept?
University of South Carolina-Columbia accepts 21 CLEP® exams for college credit across Business, Composition and Literature, History and Social Sciences, and Science and Mathematics.
What minimum CLEP® score does USC require?
USC requires minimum CLEP® scores in the range of 50 – 65 depending on the exam. The standard ACE-recommended passing score for CLEP® is 50.
How do I send my CLEP® score to University of South Carolina-Columbia?
Enter USC's institution code 5818 when registering for your CLEP® exam. Scores transmit automatically to the Registrar.
How many CLEP® credits can I apply toward my USC degree?
Most undergraduate programs cap credit-by-exam at approximately 30 semester hours. Confirm program-specific caps with the Registrar.
Does USC accept DSST exams?
DSST acceptance at USC is not confirmed in our dataset. Contact the Registrar for current policy.
Is USC an NCCRS member institution?
Yes. USC is listed as an NCCRS member institution on nationalccrs.org.
How long does it take to earn CLEP® credit at USC?
Prep time depends on the subject and what you already know. The CLEP® itself is 90 minutes. Credit posts to your transcript once the Registrar has your score — ask USC how long that takes.
What if I don't pass my CLEP® exam on the first try?
You can retake CLEP® after 3 months. With a TransferCredit.org subscription, you can also pivot to the matching ACE/NCCRS self-paced course with retake-able finals.
CLEP® exam details — Business (5 exams)
Does USC accept CLEP® Financial Accounting?
Yes. USC accepts the CLEP® Financial Accounting exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does USC accept CLEP® Information Systems?
Yes. USC accepts the CLEP® Information Systems exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 60.
Does USC accept CLEP® Introductory Business Law?
Yes. USC accepts the CLEP® Introductory Business Law exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 57.
Does USC accept CLEP® Principles of Management?
Yes. USC accepts the CLEP® Principles of Management exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 56.
Does USC accept CLEP® Principles of Marketing?
Yes. USC accepts the CLEP® Principles of Marketing exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 55.
CLEP® exam details — Composition and Literature (2 exams)
Does USC accept CLEP® American Literature?
Yes. USC accepts the CLEP® American Literature exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 55.
Does USC accept CLEP® College Composition?
Yes. USC accepts the CLEP® College Composition exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 55.
CLEP® exam details — History and Social Sciences (9 exams)
Does USC accept CLEP® American Government?
Yes. USC accepts the CLEP® American Government exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 65.
Does USC accept CLEP® History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877?
Yes. USC accepts the CLEP® History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877 exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 54.
Does USC accept CLEP® History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present?
Yes. USC accepts the CLEP® History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 55.
Does USC accept CLEP® Introduction to Educational Psychology?
Yes. USC accepts the CLEP® Introduction to Educational Psychology exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 50.
Does USC accept CLEP® Introductory Psychology?
Yes. USC accepts the CLEP® Introductory Psychology exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 54.
Does USC accept CLEP® Principles of Macroeconomics?
Yes. USC accepts the CLEP® Principles of Macroeconomics exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 54.
Does USC accept CLEP® Principles of Microeconomics?
Yes. USC accepts the CLEP® Principles of Microeconomics exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 54.
Does USC accept CLEP® Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648?
Yes. USC accepts the CLEP® Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648 exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 57.
Does USC accept CLEP® Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present?
Yes. USC accepts the CLEP® Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 56.
CLEP® exam details — Science and Mathematics (5 exams)
Does USC accept CLEP® Biology?
Yes. USC accepts the CLEP® Biology exam for 4 college credits, with a minimum required score of 57.
Does USC accept CLEP® Calculus?
Yes. USC accepts the CLEP® Calculus exam for 4 college credits, with a minimum required score of 60.
Does USC accept CLEP® Chemistry?
Yes. USC accepts the CLEP® Chemistry exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 63.
Does USC accept CLEP® College Algebra?
Yes. USC accepts the CLEP® College Algebra exam for 3 college credits, with a minimum required score of 60.
Does USC accept CLEP® Precalculus?
Yes. USC accepts the CLEP® Precalculus exam for 4 college credits, with a minimum required score of 60.
Start Today

Your USC credit,
in weeks not semesters.

One subscription. 25+ CLEP® subjects for prep. 70+ ACE/NCCRS courses via partner. Pass-or-pivot safety net. Get started today.

TransferCredit.org is an independent education service, not affiliated with or endorsed by University of South Carolina-Columbia. CLEP® is a registered trademark of the College Board. DSST is a registered trademark of Prometric. Credit policy facts come from College Board's CLEP® policy search at the time of writing; always confirm current policy with the Registrar.