ASU vs. UofSC

Comparable Facts

Compare Appalachian State University in Boone, NC 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 ASU based on total student enrollment (38,532 students vs. 21,570 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Appalachian State University is located in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting); University of South Carolina Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Appalachian State University 16:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

ASU vs. UofSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU 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 Appalachian State University than UofSC ($14,978 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 4.9% lower than at University of South Carolina Columbia ($12,868 vs. $13,534).
• University of South Carolina Columbia is 67.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $5,109 more per year; $12,688.00 vs. $7,579.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.7% higher at UofSC than at Appalachian State University (about $10,760 more per year; $35,972.00 vs. $25,212.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Columbia than at Appalachian State University (91% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Appalachian State University students is 12.3% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($8,014 vs. $7,139).

ASU vs. UofSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU 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 ASU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Columbia (1270) is 70 points higher than at ASU (1200).
• Incoming UofSC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 24 at ASU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 1120/1280; University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 21/27; University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Test optional; UofSC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ASU Feb 1, 2027; UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at UofSC (3.69).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than UofSC (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at ASU vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

ASU vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU 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 Appalachian State University's (65%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than ASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Appalachian State University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than UofSC graduates ($20,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, ASU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UofSC graduates ($211 vs. $240).
• More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UofSC students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 69%)

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.