AU vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Upstate is larger than AU based on total student enrollment (4,916 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 Upstate is in Spartanburg, SC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Anderson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Upstate is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Anderson University 13:1; University of South Carolina Upstate 15:1.

AU vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 University of South Carolina Upstate than AU ($13,999 vs. $24,434).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Upstate are 17.2% lower than at Anderson University ($10,533 vs. $12,720).
• Anderson University is 201.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of South Carolina-Upstate (about $23,382 more per year; $34,970.00 vs. $11,588.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.5% higher at AU than at University of South Carolina Upstate (about $11,880 more per year; $34,970.00 vs. $23,090.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Anderson University than at University of South Carolina Upstate (98% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Anderson University students is 142.3% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Upstate students ($25,969 vs. $10,719).

AU vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 University of South Carolina-Upstate and AU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Anderson University (1190) is 100 points higher than at University of South Carolina-Upstate (1090).
• Incoming AU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at University of South Carolina-Upstate).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Anderson University 1100/1280; University of South Carolina Upstate 1005/1175.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Anderson University 22/29; University of South Carolina Upstate 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; University of South Carolina-Upstate - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman AU students have a 1.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53).
• University of South Carolina-Upstate has a higher acceptance rate (67.3%) than AU (54.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 32.5% at AU vs. 24% at University of South Carolina-Upstate.

AU vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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).

• Anderson University's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than University of South Carolina Upstate's (39%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than AU graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,300 vs. $37,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Upstate graduates have a $4,362 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($22,500 vs. $26,862).
• Among borrowers, University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($232 vs. $277).
• More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Carolina-Upstate students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 55%)

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.