The South Carolina Moore MBA is offered by the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business in Columbia, in two full-time forms: a One-Year MBA and the two-year International MBA (IMBA). U.S. News ranks the full-time MBA No. 53 in its 2026 list, a jump from No. 71 the year before, and has ranked the IMBA the top international business programme at a public university for 13 years running. Poets&Quants reports a 55% acceptance rate for the fall 2025 intake, and Moore’s non-resident programme fee starts at $35,750.
Both programmes start in summer, so Moore asks international applicants to aim for Round 3 on 15 January 2027; that is your Deadline. The GMAT or GRE is required unless you qualify for a waiver. This guide covers the South Carolina MBA requirements for international students, the essays, the two programme options, scholarships that can cut your fee to the in-state rate, and graduate outcomes.
South Carolina Moore MBA at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Programmes | One-Year MBA; International MBA (two years); JD/MBA |
| Start | Orientation in late June, classes in early July (Summer II term) |
| U.S. News rank | No. 53, 2026 Best Business Schools (released April 2026), up from No. 71 |
| International business | IMBA ranked No. 1 among public schools by U.S. News for 13 straight years |
| Acceptance rate (fall 2025 entry) | 55.0% (Poets&Quants, from U.S. News data) |
| Median GPA | 3.70 (U.S. News data via Poets&Quants) |
| Test policy | GMAT or GRE required; waiver for advanced-degree holders and military |
| Non-resident programme fee | $35,750 One-Year MBA (2024-25 rate); $53,600 IMBA |
| Employed at three months | 80.0% (U.S. News data via Poets&Quants) |
| Application fee | $108 |
South Carolina Moore MBA ranking
U.S. News placed Moore at No. 53 among full-time MBA programmes in its 2026 Best Business Schools ranking, released on 7 April 2026, up 18 places from No. 71. It shares the spot with Alabama, Chapman, Kentucky, Tulane and William & Mary. The university says the IMBA has been in the U.S. News top three for international business for 37 consecutive years and the top public programme for 13. Moore’s supply chain programme ranks No. 29.
Poets&Quants, which builds its own composite list, places Moore at No. 80 for 2026, and notes that starting pay is the main thing holding the school back.
South Carolina Moore MBA acceptance rate and class profile
Moore does not publish an acceptance rate. Poets&Quants, using data schools report to U.S. News, shows a lot of movement year to year:
| Intake | Acceptance rate | Yield |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | 55.0% | 68.2% |
| Fall 2024 | 26.5% | 65.9% |
| Fall 2023 | 50.9% | 71.4% |
The 2024 figure looks like an outlier. Over three years, roughly half of applicants are admitted and about two in three of them enrol.
Moore’s admissions page says admitted applicants with U.S. degrees usually have GPAs between 3.5 and 4.0, and U.S. News data puts the median at 3.70 for the latest class. Moore does not publish class size, test averages, the international share or average work experience. It says the most competitive applicants have at least two years of full-time work after their bachelor’s degree.
One-Year MBA or International MBA?
| Feature | One-Year MBA | International MBA |
|---|---|---|
| Length | About one year from a summer start | Two years from a summer start |
| International component | Optional | Built in, including an in-country immersion |
| Language option | No | Third-party guides describe a Language Track (French, German or Spanish) and a Global Track |
| Internship | Not built into the year | Summer internship in year two (third-party guides say 10 to 15 weeks) |
| Non-resident fee | $35,750 (2024-25 rate) | $53,600, plus a $4,000 immersion fee |
The One-Year MBA is the cheaper, faster route if you already know your target industry. The IMBA suits applicants who want a global career and the internship that comes with a two-year programme. Check track details with Moore, because its IMBA page was not accessible when I checked and the track descriptions above come from MetroMBA.
South Carolina Moore MBA requirements for international students
- An undergraduate degree from an accredited institution. A business degree is not required.
- Transcripts from every institution you attended for credit, including separate grade sheets and degree certificates where your university issues them. Unofficial copies are fine for review; official transcripts must arrive before the end of your first term.
- A GMAT or GRE score no more than five years old. Moore uses your highest overall score. GMAT code JV2-TP-84, GRE code 5818.
- Essays: one of two short essay questions, a Statement of Purpose of up to 500 words, and an optional additional information essay.
- Two letters of recommendation, academic or professional. Recent professional letters are preferred.
- A resume.
- English test scores unless you hold a U.S. degree.
- The application fee ($108 on the tuition page). Waivers are possible for strong applicants and U.S. military.
GMAT, GRE and waivers
Moore requires a test score. The committee may consider applicants without one if they hold a master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited institution, or are active-duty or veteran military; these applicants should contact admissions directly. Moore does not publish an average or minimum score.
English requirements
| Test | Minimum |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 95 |
| IELTS Academic | 7.0 |
| PTE Academic | 68 |
| Duolingo English Test | 115 |
Scores must be no more than two years old. The only exemption Moore lists is a degree from a U.S. institution, so applicants from English-speaking countries such as Nigeria, Ghana or Kenya should plan to take a test unless admissions confirms otherwise in writing.
South Carolina Moore MBA deadlines 2026-2027
Moore’s rounds are due at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. For the class starting in summer 2027:
| Round | Deadline | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 (closed) | 15 October 2026 | Priority round |
| Round 2 | 1 December 2026 | Open |
| Round 3 | 15 January 2027 | Your Deadline; preferred round for international applicants |
| Round 4 | 1 March 2027 | Preferred round for scholarship consideration |
| Rolling | After 15 April 2027 | Case by case |
(based on this year’s date; confirm on the official page when the call opens)
Moore’s footnotes linking Round 3 to international applicants and Round 4 to scholarships are hard to read on the page, so confirm both with admissions. Decisions usually arrive by email about two weeks after your interview. Admitted students pay a $1,000 non-refundable deposit by the date in their award letter.
For international applicants
Classes start in early July, two months earlier than most MBAs. Treat 15 January 2027 as your latest date, and apply on 1 December 2026 if your documents are ready, so you have time for the I-20 and visa interview.
How to apply, step by step
- Pick a programme: One-Year MBA or IMBA (or both, if Moore allows; ask admissions).
- Take the GMAT or GRE and send scores to codes JV2-TP-84 or 5818.
- Book TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or Duolingo unless you hold a U.S. degree.
- Gather transcripts, grade sheets and degree certificates for every university.
- Ask two referees, ideally recent supervisors.
- Write the short essay and the Statement of Purpose.
- Submit online by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on 15 January 2027 at the latest.
- Interview if invited, then pay the $1,000 deposit and begin the I-20 process.
South Carolina Moore MBA essays
Moore’s admissions page lists the essay parts but not the short essay prompts, which appear inside the application.
| Essay | What Moore asks | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Short essay | Choose one of two questions (prompts shown in the application) | Not stated |
| Statement of Purpose | Your career objectives and why you want the MBA | 500 words |
| Additional information | Anything else the committee should know, such as a low grade or a gap | Optional |
Statement of Purpose
You have 500 words for two jobs: say what you want to do after the MBA, and show why a Moore MBA is the bridge. Name the target role and industry, then give one experience that led you there. If you are applying to the IMBA, explain why the international immersion or language track matters for that career. End with the skills you are missing and how the programme supplies them.
For illustration: “I export cashew nuts from Ghana to buyers in Vietnam and the Netherlands, and every contract has taught me how little I know about trade finance. I want Moore’s International MBA to learn it properly before I build my own export business.”
Short essay
Read both options before you choose. Pick the one where you have a specific story with a result you can measure. Keep it personal and leave the career plan to the Statement of Purpose.
The South Carolina Moore interview
Interviews are by invitation after a first review of your file. Moore offers three formats: in person at the business school, at a regional location, or by video. Most international applicants will interview by video. Expect questions on your career goals, your choice between the One-Year MBA and the IMBA, and your experience working across cultures.
What the admissions committee looks for
- At least two years of full-time work after your degree.
- A strong academic record; the latest median GPA is 3.70.
- A GMAT or GRE score that supports a scholarship case.
- A clear career goal, and for the IMBA, a real reason to want international business.
- Leadership potential and solid English.
South Carolina Moore MBA tuition and cost
Moore charges a programme fee rather than per-credit tuition. Its tuition page gives these rates; the One-Year MBA figures are labelled 2024-25 and the IMBA figures carry no year:
| Programme | Non-resident | South Carolina resident |
|---|---|---|
| One-Year MBA | $35,750 | $30,750 |
| International MBA (two years) | $53,600 | $33,500 |
| JD/MBA (MBA part) | $23,040 | $20,000 |
One-Year MBA fees are billed 50% in summer, 25% in fall and 25% in spring. IMBA fees are billed 22% in summer, 14% in fall and 14% in spring in each of the two years.
Costs not covered
- Student Health Center fee of $190 and technology fee of $200 each semester.
- One-time application fee ($108) and matriculation fee ($80).
- The $4,000 international immersion fee in IMBA year two.
- Health insurance, which is charged each year unless you prove other cover.
- Housing, food and travel, which Moore does not include; check the university’s cost-to-attend page.
- Flights, the SEVIS fee and the U.S. visa fee.
South Carolina Moore MBA scholarships for international students
Moore says most incoming students receive some financial aid. One-Year MBA students can receive up to 45% of the programme fee, and IMBA students can earn fellowships worth up to 100% of the programme fee. Awards come with your offer of admission; there is no separate application.
| Award | What it gives | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Moore School Excellence Award | Usually $750 to $20,000 | Non-residents who receive at least $750 pay the in-state programme fee every semester |
| IMBA full-tuition fellowship | Up to 100% of the programme fee | IMBA only |
| Pozen Scholars Award | Not published | Two incoming IMBA students |
| Graduate assistantship | Stipend of up to $7,000 | About 10 hours a week; 3.0 GPA; highly competitive |
| Work grants | Paid; amount not published | About 10 hours a week for faculty or staff |
The in-state rule is the one to watch. On the published fees, a $750 award would cut the IMBA from $53,600 to $33,500. The financing page says non-resident candidates without excluding international students, but ask admissions to confirm that it applies to you.
Federal loans are for U.S. citizens only. Moore lists outside sources such as LASPAU, the Leo S. Rowe Pan American Fund and Colfuturo for Latin American students, and does not name Prodigy Finance or MPOWER. For outside funding, see our list of American scholarships for international students.
STEM designation and OPT
Moore’s MBA pages that I could read do not mention a STEM designation, so plan on the standard 12 months of OPT and ask the school to confirm the CIP code on your I-20.
South Carolina Moore MBA salary and employment
Moore does not post a full-time MBA employment report on the pages I could access. The U.S. News figures published by Poets&Quants for the 2026 ranking show:
| Measure | 2026 ranking | 2025 ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Mean salary and bonus | $109,284 | $110,229 |
| Employed at graduation | 50.0% | 47.6% |
| Employed three months after graduation | 80.0% | 81.0% |
Half the class has a job at graduation, so plan your search from the first month. Ask the career office how many international graduates found U.S. roles and which employers sponsor visas.
Common mistakes international applicants make
- Planning for a fall start and missing that classes begin in early July.
- Waiting for Round 4 when Round 3 is the preferred international round.
- Assuming a degree from an English-speaking country exempts you from the English test.
- Using the 500-word Statement of Purpose to retell your resume.
- Applying to the IMBA without explaining why an international career needs it.
- Not asking whether a merit award would move you to the in-state fee.
Who should apply to South Carolina Moore, and who shouldn’t
Apply if international business is your field, you want the best-known public IMBA in the U.S., and you have a few years of work behind you. The One-Year MBA is a good fit if you want a ranked MBA at a low price and a quick return to work.
Think twice if salary is your main goal, or if you need a STEM OPT extension. The programme fee is low, but average pay sits below most top-50 schools.
South Carolina Moore vs peer MBA programmes
| School | U.S. News 2026 | Avg GMAT | Tuition or cost | International | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Moore | No. 53 (tie) | Not published | $35,750 One-Year MBA, non-resident (2024-25 rate); $53,600 IMBA | Not published | 15 January 2027 (Round 3) |
| Kentucky Gatton | No. 53 (tie) | Not published (median 634, Poets&Quants) | $48,478 for the one-year programme, non-resident, 2026-27 | 3.4% (Poets&Quants) | 15 January 2027 (international) |
| Alabama Manderson | No. 53 (tie) | 605 (2026 class profile) | $35,924 a year out-of-state tuition | Not published (3 countries) | 15 January 2027 (Round 2) |
| American Kogod | No. 46 | Not published | $97,335 for 45 credits | 37% | 15 January 2027 |
| Tennessee Haslam | No. 43 (tie) | Not published | $69,968 estimated programme cost | Not published | 15 December 2026 (Round 2) |
FAQ
What is the South Carolina Moore MBA acceptance rate?
Poets&Quants, using U.S. News data, reports 55.0% for the fall 2025 intake, compared with 26.5% in 2024 and 50.9% in 2023.
Does the University of South Carolina MBA require the GMAT?
Yes. You need a GMAT or GRE score less than five years old, unless you hold a master’s or doctorate or are U.S. military and the committee agrees to a waiver.
Is the Moore International MBA ranked No. 1?
U.S. News has ranked it the top international business programme at a public university for 13 consecutive years, and in the national top three for 37 years.
What is the South Carolina MBA deadline for international students?
The Deadline is Round 3 on 15 January 2027, the round Moore prefers for international applicants. Classes start in early July 2027.
Sources and updates
Programmes, start dates, round dates, requirements, test codes, essays, interview formats and English minimums are from Moore’s full-time MBA admissions page. Programme fees and other fees are from the tuition and fees page. Scholarships, assistantships and loans are from the Financing Your MBA page. The IMBA’s public-school ranking is from the university’s April 2026 rankings news. Median GPA, salary and employment figures are from Poets&Quants’ analysis of the 2026 U.S. News ranking, and acceptance and yield from Poets&Quants’ August 2026 acceptance rate tables. IMBA track details are from MetroMBA. The ranking is from U.S. News 2026 Best Business Schools (full-time MBA), released on 7 April 2026, as tabulated by Poets&Quants and GMAC. Checked on 29 October 2026.
I am Jude Chinecherem, a final-year MBBS student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. I know what it feels like to want an education your family cannot afford. When my parents could not pay for my schooling, I had to learn how to find scholarships and work the system out on my own, with nobody to guide me. I came out the other side, and now I share everything I learned so the next student does not have to figure it out alone. This is the advice I wish someone had given me back then.
