Columbia College vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College in Columbia, 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 Columbia College based on total student enrollment (4,916 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); University of South Carolina Upstate is in Spartanburg, SC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Columbia College 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: Columbia College 12:1; University of South Carolina Upstate 15:1.

Columbia College vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College 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 Columbia College ($13,999 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 10.9% lower than at University of South Carolina Upstate ($9,390 vs. $10,533).
• Columbia College is 91.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of South Carolina-Upstate (about $10,626 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $11,588.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at University of South Carolina-Upstate than at Columbia College (about $876 more per year; $23,090.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College as at University of South Carolina Upstate (97% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 53.5% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Upstate students ($16,451 vs. $10,719).

Columbia College vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College 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 Columbia College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Upstate (1090) is 90 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming University of South Carolina-Upstate students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 850/1140; University of South Carolina Upstate 1005/1175.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 14/18; University of South Carolina Upstate 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Test-free; University of South Carolina-Upstate - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 1.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than University of South Carolina-Upstate (67.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Columbia College vs. 24% at University of South Carolina-Upstate.

Columbia College vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College 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).

• Columbia College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than University of South Carolina Upstate's (39%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,300 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Upstate graduates have a $2,764 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($22,500 vs. $25,264).
• Among borrowers, University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($232 vs. $261).
• More University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 43%)

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.