CSU vs. UofSC

Comparable Facts

Compare Charleston Southern University in Charleston, SC 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 CSU based on total student enrollment (38,532 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 Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Charleston Southern University 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: Charleston Southern University 12:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

CSU vs. UofSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU 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 Charleston Southern University than UofSC ($21,080 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Charleston Southern University are 9.9% lower than at University of South Carolina Columbia ($12,200 vs. $13,534).
• Charleston Southern University is 156.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UofSC (about $19,832 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $12,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.6% higher at UofSC than at Charleston Southern University (about $3,452 more per year; $35,972.00 vs. $32,520.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Charleston Southern University than at University of South Carolina Columbia (98% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Charleston Southern University students is 225.5% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($23,240 vs. $7,139).

CSU vs. UofSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU 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 CSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Columbia (1270) is 220 points higher than at CSU (1050).
• Incoming UofSC students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 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 Columbia 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Charleston Southern University 18/24; University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test optional; UofSC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UofSC students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at CSU (3.24).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than UofSC (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at CSU vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

CSU vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU 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).

• University of South Carolina Columbia's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Charleston Southern University's (38%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of about $11,900 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $39,800), 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 CSU graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UofSC graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More UofSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.