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Clemson Georgia CofC Virginia Tech NC State Auburn Florida State Tennessee Penn State UNC Chapel Hill IU Coastal Carolina| Anderson University | University of South Carolina Columbia | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
AU | UofSC | ||
| Location | Anderson, SC | Columbia, SC | ||
| Setting | Small City | Midsize City | ||
| Enrollment | 4,325 | 36,579 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #759 | #210 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | Baptist | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | andersonuniversity.edu | sc.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
AU | UofSC | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $32,710 | $12,288 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $32,710 | $34,534 | ||
| Room & Board | $12,290 | $12,558 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $22,222 | $26,068 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $25,586 | $6,762 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 99% | 91% |
Admission |
AU | UofSC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 4,732 | 46,682 | ||
| Admitted | 2,499 | 28,706 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 52.8% | 61.5% | ||
| Enrolled % | 34% | 25.5% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.72 | 3.69 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Challenging | Very High | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | Low | ||
| ACT Range | 22/28 | 26/32 | ||
| SAT Range | 1090/1290 | 1180/1380 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Dec 1, 2025 |
Academics |
AU | UofSC | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 15:1 | 18:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
AU | UofSC | ||
| Graduation Rate | 48% | 70% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $37,500 | $51,700 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 60% | 69% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $26,862 | $23,250 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $277 | $240 |
Diversity |
AU | UofSC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 9% | 8% | ||
| % Women | 12% | 14% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 83% | 77% | ||
| % Black | 8% | 10% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 4% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 4% | ||
| % International | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 2% | 1% |
Students |
AU | UofSC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 68% | 54% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 31% | 45% | ||
Campus |
AU | UofSC | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- University of South Carolina Columbia is larger than than AU based on total student enrollment (36,579 students vs. 4,325 students)
AU vs. UofSC Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, AU or UofSC?
- Anderson University is 166.2% more expensive to attend than UofSC for in-state tuition ($32,710.00 vs. $12,288.00)
- Out of state tuition is 5.6% higher at UofSC than Anderson University ($34,534.00 vs. $32,710.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Anderson University than UofSC ($22,222 vs. $26,068)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Anderson University are 2.2% lower than costs at University of South Carolina Columbia ($12,290 vs. $12,558)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Anderson University than University of South Carolina Columbia (99% vs. 91%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Anderson University students is 278.4% larger than aid received University of South Carolina Columbia ($25,586 vs. $6,762)
AU vs. UofSC Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, AU or UofSC? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UofSC or AU .
- The average SAT score at University of South Carolina Columbia (1220) is 142 points higher than at AU (1078)
- Incoming UofSC students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at AU (24)
- Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at UofSC (3.69)
- UofSC has a higher acceptance rate (61.5%) than AU (52.8%)
AU vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, AU or UofSC? 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 UofSC and AU.
- The graduation rate at UofSC is higher than Anderson University (70% vs. 48%)
- Graduates from University of South Carolina Columbia earn on average $14,200 more per year than AU graduates after ten years. ($51,700 vs. $37,500)
- University of South Carolina Columbia students graduate with a $3,612 lower median federal student loan debt than AU graduates. ($23,250 vs. $26,862)
- UofSC graduates are paying $37 less per month on federal student loans than AU graduates. ($240 vs. $277)
- More UofSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 60%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/