Centre College vs. UofSC

Comparable Facts

Compare Centre College in Danville, 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 Centre College based on total student enrollment (38,532 students vs. 1,404 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Centre College is located in Danville, KY (Distant Town setting); University of South Carolina Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Centre 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: Centre College 10:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

Centre College vs. UofSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Centre 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 Centre College than UofSC ($23,860 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Columbia are 7.6% lower than at Centre College ($13,534 vs. $14,640).
• Centre College is 316.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UofSC (about $40,132 more per year; $52,820.00 vs. $12,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.8% higher at Centre College than at University of South Carolina Columbia (about $16,848 more per year; $52,820.00 vs. $35,972.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Centre College than at University of South Carolina Columbia (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Centre College students is 516.5% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($44,015 vs. $7,139).

Centre College vs. UofSC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Centre College (1310) is 40 points higher than at UofSC (1270).
• Incoming UofSC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at Centre College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Centre College 1160/1450; University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Centre College 25/32; University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Centre College - Test optional; UofSC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Centre College Jan 15, 2027; UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UofSC students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Centre College (3.62).
• UofSC has a higher acceptance rate (60.2%) than Centre College (54.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Centre College vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

Centre College vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Centre 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).

• Centre College's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than University of South Carolina Columbia's (70%).
• Graduates from Centre College earn a median of about $800 more per year than UofSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,500 vs. $51,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Columbia graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Centre College graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UofSC graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Centre College graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More Centre College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UofSC students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.