AU vs. South Carolina State University

Should I go to Anderson University or South Carolina State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if AU or South Carolina State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Anderson University vs. South Carolina State University comparison
Anderson University South Carolina State University College 3 College 4
Anderson University South Carolina State University
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Overview

AU South Carolina State University
Location Anderson, SC Orangeburg, SC
Setting Small City Distant Town
Enrollment 4,121 2,649
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1011
Religious Affiliation Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website andersonuniversity.edu scsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

AU South Carolina State University
Tuition (In State) $30,860 $9,528
Tuition (Out of State) $30,860 $20,218
Room & Board $11,230 $9,000
Avg Net Price $21,633 $17,435
Avg Grant Aid $24,409 $15,873
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 96%

Admission

AU South Carolina State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,043 6,833
Admitted 2,289 5,733
Acceptance Rate 45.4% 83.9%
Enrolled % 34.9% 15.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.72 3.17
Typical High School Grades A- B
Admissions Standards Unavailable Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 15/19
SAT Range 800/1050
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jul 31, 2025

Academics

AU South Carolina State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (37%)
  • Business (36%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Psychology (4%)
  • Communication (3%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Work and Family Studies (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Health Professions (9%)

Outcomes

AU South Carolina State University
Graduation Rate 48% 35%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,500 $31,000
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 27%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,862 $33,205
Median Loan Payment $277 $343

Diversity

AU South Carolina State University
% Men 35% 44%
% Women 65% 56%
Racial Diversity Very Low Extremely Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 83% 2%
% Black 8% 96%
% Hispanic 3% 0%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 0%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

AU South Carolina State University
% In-State 68% 77%
% Out-of-State 31% 23%

Campus

AU South Carolina State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Anderson University is larger than than South Carolina State University based on total student enrollment (4,121 students vs. 2,649 students)

AU vs. South Carolina State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or South Carolina State University?

  • Anderson University is 223.9% more expensive to attend than South Carolina State University for in-state tuition ($30,860.00 vs. $9,528.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 52.6% higher at AU than South Carolina State University ($30,860.00 vs. $20,218.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at South Carolina State University than AU ($17,435 vs. $21,633)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Carolina State University are 24.8% lower than costs at Anderson University ($9,000 vs. $11,230)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Anderson University than South Carolina State University (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Anderson University students is 53.8% larger than aid received South Carolina State University ($24,409 vs. $15,873)

AU vs. South Carolina State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or South Carolina State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between South Carolina State University or AU .

  • The average SAT score at Anderson University (1078) is 318 points higher than at South Carolina State University (760)
  • Incoming AU students have a 8 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at South Carolina State University (16)
  • Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.55 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at South Carolina State University (3.17)
  • South Carolina State University has a higher acceptance rate (83.9%) than AU (45.4%)

AU vs. South Carolina State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, AU or South Carolina State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between South Carolina State University and AU.

  • The graduation rate at AU is higher than South Carolina State University (48% vs. 35%)
  • Graduates from Anderson University earn on average $6,500 more per year than South Carolina State University graduates after ten years. ($37,500 vs. $31,000)
  • Anderson University students graduate with a $6,343 lower median federal student loan debt than South Carolina State University graduates. ($26,862 vs. $33,205)
  • AU graduates are paying $66 less per month on federal student loans than South Carolina State University graduates. ($277 vs. $343)
  • More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Carolina State University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 27%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/