AU vs. UofSC

Comparable Facts

Compare Anderson University in Anderson, SC with University of South Carolina Columbia in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Carolina Columbia is larger than AU based on total student enrollment (38,532 students vs. 4,710 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Anderson University is located in Anderson, SC (Small City setting); University of South Carolina Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Anderson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Anderson University 13:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

AU vs. UofSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or UofSC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Anderson University than UofSC ($24,434 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Anderson University are 6% lower than at University of South Carolina Columbia ($12,720 vs. $13,534).
• Anderson University is 175.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UofSC (about $22,282 more per year; $34,970.00 vs. $12,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.9% higher at UofSC than at Anderson University (about $1,002 more per year; $35,972.00 vs. $34,970.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Anderson University than at University of South Carolina Columbia (98% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Anderson University students is 263.8% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($25,969 vs. $7,139).

AU vs. UofSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or UofSC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UofSC and AU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Columbia (1270) is 80 points higher than at AU (1190).
• Incoming UofSC students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at AU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Anderson University 1100/1280; University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Anderson University 22/29; University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; UofSC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• 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 (60.2%) than AU (54.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 32.5% at AU vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

AU vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and UofSC? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of South Carolina Columbia's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Anderson University's (48%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of about $14,200 more per year than AU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $37,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Columbia graduates have a $3,612 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,862).
• Among borrowers, UofSC graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.