CofC vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Charleston 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.

College of Charleston is larger than University of South Carolina-Upstate based on total student enrollment (11,926 students vs. 4,916 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Charleston is located in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting); University of South Carolina Upstate is in Spartanburg, SC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• College of Charleston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Upstate is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Charleston 16:1; University of South Carolina Upstate 15:1.

CofC vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CofC 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 CofC ($13,999 vs. $21,004).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Upstate are 26.5% lower than at College of Charleston ($10,533 vs. $14,332).
• College of Charleston is 12% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of South Carolina-Upstate (about $1,390 more per year; $12,978.00 vs. $11,588.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.9% higher at CofC than at University of South Carolina Upstate (about $15,206 more per year; $38,296.00 vs. $23,090.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Upstate than at College of Charleston (97% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Carolina Upstate students is 19.3% larger than aid received by College of Charleston students ($10,719 vs. $8,983).

CofC vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CofC 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 CofC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Charleston (1230) is 140 points higher than at University of South Carolina-Upstate (1090).
• Incoming CofC students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at University of South Carolina-Upstate).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Charleston 1140/1310; University of South Carolina Upstate 1005/1175.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Charleston 25/30; University of South Carolina Upstate 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CofC - Test optional; University of South Carolina-Upstate - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CofC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CofC students have a 1.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53).
• University of South Carolina-Upstate has a higher acceptance rate (67.3%) than CofC (60%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.9% at CofC vs. 24% at University of South Carolina-Upstate.

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

How do outcomes compare for CofC 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).

• College of Charleston's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than University of South Carolina Upstate's (39%).
• Graduates from College of Charleston earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $39,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Charleston graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, CofC graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates ($222 vs. $232).
• More CofC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Carolina-Upstate students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 55%)

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.