Covenant College vs. UofSC

Comparable Facts

Compare Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, GA with University of South Carolina Columbia in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Carolina Columbia is larger than Covenant College based on total student enrollment (38,532 students vs. 1,100 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Covenant College is located in Lookout Mountain, GA (Large Suburban setting); University of South Carolina Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Covenant College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Covenant College 13:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

Covenant College vs. UofSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Covenant College or UofSC? 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 Columbia than Covenant College ($24,488 vs. $27,926).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Covenant College are 5.8% lower than at University of South Carolina Columbia ($12,754 vs. $13,534).
• Covenant College is 231.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UofSC (about $29,352 more per year; $42,040.00 vs. $12,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.9% higher at Covenant College than at University of South Carolina Columbia (about $6,068 more per year; $42,040.00 vs. $35,972.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Covenant College than at University of South Carolina Columbia (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Covenant College students is 316.3% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($29,720 vs. $7,139).

Covenant College vs. UofSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Covenant College or UofSC? 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 UofSC and Covenant College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Covenant College (1270) is the same as at UofSC (1270).
• Incoming UofSC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at Covenant College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Covenant College 1160/1380; University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Covenant College 23/30; University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Covenant College - Test optional; UofSC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Covenant College Mar 1, 2027; UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Covenant College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at UofSC (3.69).
• Covenant College has a higher acceptance rate (86.5%) than UofSC (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39.6% at Covenant College vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

Covenant College vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Covenant College and UofSC? 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 Columbia's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Covenant College's (51%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than Covenant College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Covenant College graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than UofSC graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Covenant College graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UofSC graduates ($222 vs. $240).
• More Covenant College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UofSC students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 69%)

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.