Claflin University vs. USC Aiken

Comparable Facts

Compare Claflin University in Orangeburg, 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 Claflin University based on total student enrollment (4,022 students vs. 1,852 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Claflin University is located in Orangeburg, SC (Distant Town setting); University of South Carolina Aiken is in Aiken, SC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Claflin 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: Claflin University 13:1; University of South Carolina Aiken 16:1.

Claflin University vs. USC Aiken Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Claflin University 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 Claflin University ($12,236 vs. $17,272).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 3.1% lower than at Claflin University ($9,182 vs. $9,480).
• Claflin University is 69.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Aiken (about $7,522 more per year; $18,282.00 vs. $10,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.1% higher at USC Aiken than at Claflin University (about $2,936 more per year; $21,218.00 vs. $18,282.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Claflin University than at University of South Carolina Aiken (98% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Claflin University students is 86.4% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students ($16,596 vs. $8,904).

Claflin University vs. USC Aiken Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Claflin University 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 Claflin University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Aiken (1100) is 160 points higher than at Claflin University (940).
• Incoming USC Aiken students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 17 at Claflin University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claflin University 840/1040; University of South Carolina Aiken 980/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Claflin University 16/18; University of South Carolina Aiken 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Claflin University - Test-free; USC Aiken - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Claflin University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.28) than students at USC Aiken (3.19).
• USC Aiken has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than Claflin University (64.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.3% at Claflin University vs. 28.2% at USC Aiken.

Claflin University vs. USC Aiken Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Claflin University 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 Claflin University's (40%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Aiken earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than Claflin University graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,600 vs. $30,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Aiken graduates have a $6,184 lower median loan debt than Claflin University graduates ($26,000 vs. $32,184).
• Among borrowers, USC Aiken graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Claflin University graduates ($268 vs. $332).
• More USC Aiken graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Claflin University students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 25%)

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.