Central Piedmont Community College vs. University of South Carolina-Lancaster

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, NC with University of South Carolina Lancaster in Lancaster, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central Piedmont Community College is larger than University of South Carolina-Lancaster based on total student enrollment (20,375 students vs. 2,687 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Piedmont Community College is located in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting); University of South Carolina Lancaster is in Lancaster, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Central Piedmont Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. University of South Carolina Lancaster is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Piedmont Community College 15:1; University of South Carolina Lancaster 24:1.

Central Piedmont Community College vs. University of South Carolina-Lancaster Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central Piedmont Community College or University of South Carolina-Lancaster? 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 Central Piedmont Community College than University of South Carolina-Lancaster ($4,616 vs. $11,257).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Lancaster are 40.3% lower than at Central Piedmont Community College ($6,708 vs. $11,239).
• University of South Carolina Lancaster is 170.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central Piedmont Community College (about $4,766 more per year; $7,558.00 vs. $2,792.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 104.1% higher at University of South Carolina-Lancaster than at Central Piedmont Community College (about $9,302 more per year; $18,238.00 vs. $8,936.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Lancaster than at Central Piedmont Community College (93% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Carolina Lancaster students is 29.9% larger than aid received by Central Piedmont Community College students ($7,245 vs. $5,576).

Central Piedmont Community College vs. University of South Carolina-Lancaster Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central Piedmont Community College or University of South Carolina-Lancaster? 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-Lancaster and Central Piedmont Community College.

• Central Piedmont Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of South Carolina Lancaster 910/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of South Carolina Lancaster 16/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central Piedmont Community College - Open admission; University of South Carolina-Lancaster - Test-free.

Central Piedmont Community College vs. University of South Carolina-Lancaster Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central Piedmont Community College and University of South Carolina-Lancaster? 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 Lancaster earn a median of about $21,800 more per year than Central Piedmont Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $29,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Piedmont Community College graduates have a $16,266 lower median loan debt than University of South Carolina-Lancaster graduates ($6,984 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Central Piedmont Community College graduates have an estimated $168 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of South Carolina-Lancaster graduates ($72 vs. $240).
• More University of South Carolina-Lancaster graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central Piedmont Community College students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 28%)

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.