Arkansas State University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate

Comparable Facts

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

Arkansas State University is larger than University of South Carolina-Upstate based on total student enrollment (15,726 students vs. 4,916 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arkansas State University is located in Jonesboro, AR (Small City setting); University of South Carolina Upstate is in Spartanburg, SC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Arkansas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Upstate is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arkansas State University 17:1; University of South Carolina Upstate 15:1.

Arkansas State University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas State University 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 Arkansas State University than University of South Carolina-Upstate ($12,410 vs. $13,999).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Upstate are 8.8% lower than at Arkansas State University ($10,533 vs. $11,550).
• University of South Carolina Upstate is 43.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Arkansas State University (about $3,498 more per year; $11,588.00 vs. $8,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59% higher at University of South Carolina-Upstate than at Arkansas State University (about $8,568 more per year; $23,090.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Arkansas State University as at University of South Carolina Upstate (97% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arkansas State University students is 25% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Upstate students ($13,395 vs. $10,719).

Arkansas State University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas State University 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 Arkansas State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Upstate (1090) is 10 points higher than at Arkansas State University (1080).
• Incoming University of South Carolina-Upstate students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Arkansas State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas State University 970/1190; University of South Carolina Upstate 1005/1175.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas State University 18/24; University of South Carolina Upstate 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arkansas State University - Test optional; University of South Carolina-Upstate - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Arkansas State University students have a 1.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53).
• Arkansas State University has a higher acceptance rate (82.3%) than University of South Carolina-Upstate (67.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Arkansas State University vs. 24% at University of South Carolina-Upstate.

Arkansas State University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arkansas State University 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).

• University of South Carolina Upstate's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Arkansas State University's (38%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than Arkansas State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,300 vs. $36,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Arkansas State University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Arkansas State University graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates ($201 vs. $232).
• More University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arkansas State University students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 51%)

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.