Berea College vs. UofSC

Comparable Facts

Compare Berea College in Berea, KY 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 Berea College based on total student enrollment (38,532 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Berea College is located in Berea, KY (Distant Town setting); University of South Carolina Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Berea College 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: Berea College 9:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

Berea College vs. UofSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Berea College 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 Berea College than UofSC ($5,888 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Berea College are 39.4% lower than at University of South Carolina Columbia ($8,208 vs. $13,534).
• Berea College is 307.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UofSC (about $38,970 more per year; $51,658.00 vs. $12,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.6% higher at Berea College than at University of South Carolina Columbia (about $15,686 more per year; $51,658.00 vs. $35,972.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Berea College than at University of South Carolina Columbia (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Berea College students is 668% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($54,830 vs. $7,139).

Berea College vs. UofSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Berea College 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 Berea College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Columbia (1270) is 20 points higher than at Berea College (1250).
• Incoming UofSC students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at Berea College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Berea College 1156/1335; University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Berea College 23/28; University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Berea College - Test optional; UofSC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Berea College Mar 31, 2027; UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UofSC students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Berea College (3.62).
• UofSC has a higher acceptance rate (60.2%) than Berea College (19.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Berea College vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

Berea College vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Berea College 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).

• Graduates from University of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of about $15,600 more per year than Berea College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $36,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Berea College graduates have a $17,450 lower median loan debt than UofSC graduates ($5,800 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Berea College graduates have an estimated $181 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UofSC graduates ($59 vs. $240).
• More UofSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Berea College students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 62%)

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.