CSU vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate

Comparable Facts

Compare Charleston Southern University in Charleston, SC with University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Carolina Upstate is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (4,916 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 Upstate is in Spartanburg, SC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Charleston Southern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Upstate is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Charleston Southern University 12:1; University of South Carolina Upstate 15:1.

CSU vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 Upstate than CSU ($13,999 vs. $21,080).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Upstate are 13.7% lower than at Charleston Southern University ($10,533 vs. $12,200).
• Charleston Southern University is 180.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of South Carolina-Upstate (about $20,932 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $11,588.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.8% higher at CSU than at University of South Carolina Upstate (about $9,430 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $23,090.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Charleston Southern University than at University of South Carolina Upstate (98% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Charleston Southern University students is 116.8% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Upstate students ($23,240 vs. $10,719).

CSU vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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-Upstate and CSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Upstate (1090) is 40 points higher than at CSU (1050).
• Incoming University of South Carolina-Upstate students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 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 Upstate 1005/1175.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Charleston Southern University 18/24; University of South Carolina Upstate 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test optional; University of South Carolina-Upstate - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman CSU students have a 0.71 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than University of South Carolina-Upstate (67.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at CSU vs. 24% at University of South Carolina-Upstate.

CSU vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 Upstate's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Charleston Southern University's (38%).
• Graduates from Charleston Southern University earn a median of about $500 more per year than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,800 vs. $39,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Upstate graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($232 vs. $279).
• More University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.