CSU vs. South Carolina State University

Should I go to Chicago State University or South Carolina State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CSU or South Carolina State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Chicago State University vs. South Carolina State University comparison
Chicago State University South Carolina State University College 3 College 4
Chicago State University South Carolina State University
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Overview

CSU South Carolina State University
Location Chicago, IL Orangeburg, SC
Setting Large City Distant Town
Enrollment 2,317 2,649
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #870 #1011
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website csu.edu scsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CSU South Carolina State University
Tuition (In State) $7,656 $9,528
Tuition (Out of State) $7,656 $20,218
Room & Board $13,800 $9,000
Avg Net Price $6,446 $17,435
Avg Grant Aid $15,891 $15,873
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 96%

Admission

CSU South Carolina State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,404 6,833
Admitted 3,592 5,733
Acceptance Rate 48.5% 83.9%
Enrolled % 4.8% 15.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.18 3.17
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 15/19 15/19
SAT Range 750/963 800/1050
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jul 31, 2025

Academics

CSU South Carolina State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (31%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Work and Family Studies (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Health Professions (9%)

Outcomes

CSU South Carolina State University
Graduation Rate 21% 35%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,300 $31,000
Making Student Loan Payments 25% 27%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,250 $33,205
Median Loan Payment $323 $343

Diversity

CSU South Carolina State University
% Men 33% 44%
% Women 67% 56%
Racial Diversity Low Extremely Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 3% 2%
% Black 75% 96%
% Hispanic 8% 0%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 0%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 12% 0%

Students

CSU South Carolina State University
% In-State 77% 77%
% Out-of-State 20% 23%

Campus

CSU South Carolina State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • South Carolina State University is larger than than CSU based on total student enrollment (2,649 students vs. 2,317 students)

CSU vs. South Carolina State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or South Carolina State University?

  • South Carolina State University is 24.5% more expensive to attend than CSU for in-state tuition ($9,528.00 vs. $7,656.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 164.1% higher at South Carolina State University than Chicago State University ($20,218.00 vs. $7,656.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Chicago State University than South Carolina State University ($6,446 vs. $17,435)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Carolina State University are 53.3% lower than costs at Chicago State University ($9,000 vs. $13,800)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at South Carolina State University than Chicago State University (96% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Chicago State University students is 0.1% larger than aid received South Carolina State University ($15,891 vs. $15,873)

CSU vs. South Carolina State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or South Carolina State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between South Carolina State University or CSU .

  • The average SAT score at Chicago State University (875) is 115 points higher than at South Carolina State University (760)
  • Incoming CSU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (18) than students at South Carolina State University (16)
  • Accepted freshman CSU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.18) than students at South Carolina State University (3.17)
  • South Carolina State University has a higher acceptance rate (83.9%) than CSU (48.5%)

CSU vs. South Carolina State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CSU or South Carolina State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between South Carolina State University and CSU.

  • The graduation rate at South Carolina State University is higher than Chicago State University (35% vs. 21%)
  • Graduates from Chicago State University earn on average $7,300 more per year than South Carolina State University graduates after ten years. ($38,300 vs. $31,000)
  • Chicago State University students graduate with a $1,955 lower median federal student loan debt than South Carolina State University graduates. ($31,250 vs. $33,205)
  • CSU graduates are paying $20 less per month on federal student loans than South Carolina State University graduates. ($323 vs. $343)
  • More South Carolina State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (27% vs. 25%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/