Benedict College vs. USC Aiken

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Aiken is larger than Benedict College based on total student enrollment (4,022 students vs. 1,691 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Benedict College is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); University of South Carolina Aiken is in Aiken, SC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Benedict College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Aiken is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Benedict College 13:1; University of South Carolina Aiken 16:1.

Benedict College vs. USC Aiken Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Benedict College or USC Aiken? 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 Aiken than Benedict College ($12,236 vs. $18,665).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Benedict College are 22.2% lower than at University of South Carolina Aiken ($7,146 vs. $9,182).
• Benedict College is 62.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Aiken (about $6,680 more per year; $17,440.00 vs. $10,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.7% higher at USC Aiken than at Benedict College (about $3,778 more per year; $21,218.00 vs. $17,440.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Benedict College than at University of South Carolina Aiken (95% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Benedict College students is 49.8% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students ($13,335 vs. $8,904).

Benedict College vs. USC Aiken Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Benedict College or USC Aiken? 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 USC Aiken and Benedict College.

• Benedict College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Aiken (1100) is 180 points higher than at Benedict College (920).
• Incoming USC Aiken students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 16 at Benedict College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Benedict College 820/1010; University of South Carolina Aiken 980/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Benedict College 14/19; University of South Carolina Aiken 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Benedict College - Open admission; USC Aiken - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Benedict College Feb 15, 2027; USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027.
• Benedict College has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than USC Aiken (78.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8% at Benedict College vs. 28.2% at USC Aiken.

Benedict College vs. USC Aiken Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Benedict College and USC Aiken? 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 Aiken's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Benedict College's (26%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Aiken earn a median of about $14,600 more per year than Benedict College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,600 vs. $25,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Aiken graduates have a $16,898 lower median loan debt than Benedict College graduates ($26,000 vs. $42,898).
• Among borrowers, USC Aiken graduates have an estimated $175 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Benedict College graduates ($268 vs. $443).
• More USC Aiken graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Benedict College students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 13%)

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.