CSU vs. USC Aiken

Comparable Facts

Compare Charleston Southern University in Charleston, 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 CSU based on total student enrollment (4,022 students vs. 3,832 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Charleston Southern University is located in Charleston, SC (Small City setting); University of South Carolina Aiken is in Aiken, SC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Charleston Southern University 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: Charleston Southern University 12:1; University of South Carolina Aiken 16:1.

CSU vs. USC Aiken Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU 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 CSU ($12,236 vs. $21,080).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 24.7% lower than at Charleston Southern University ($9,182 vs. $12,200).
• Charleston Southern University is 202.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Aiken (about $21,760 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $10,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.3% higher at CSU than at University of South Carolina Aiken (about $11,302 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $21,218.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Charleston Southern University than at University of South Carolina Aiken (98% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Charleston Southern University students is 161% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students ($23,240 vs. $8,904).

CSU vs. USC Aiken Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU 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 CSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Aiken (1100) is 50 points higher than at CSU (1050).
• Incoming USC Aiken students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Charleston Southern University 930/1160; University of South Carolina Aiken 980/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Charleston Southern University 18/24; University of South Carolina Aiken 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test optional; USC Aiken - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at USC Aiken (3.19).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than USC Aiken (78.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at CSU vs. 28.2% at USC Aiken.

CSU vs. USC Aiken Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU 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 Charleston Southern University's (38%).
• Graduates from Charleston Southern University earn a median of about $200 more per year than USC Aiken graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,800 vs. $39,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Aiken graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, USC Aiken graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More USC Aiken graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 50%)

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.