DSC vs. South Carolina State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Dalton State College in Dalton, GA with South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dalton State College is larger than South Carolina State University based on total student enrollment (5,135 students vs. 3,242 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dalton State College is located in Dalton, GA (Small City setting); South Carolina State University is in Orangeburg, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Dalton State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. South Carolina State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dalton State College 21:1; South Carolina State University 19:1.

DSC vs. South Carolina State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DSC or South Carolina State University? 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 Dalton State College than South Carolina State University ($5,625 vs. $17,965).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Carolina State University are 13.6% lower than at Dalton State College ($9,000 vs. $10,419).
• South Carolina State University is 231.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than DSC (about $7,724 more per year; $11,060.00 vs. $3,336.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 104.1% higher at South Carolina State University than at Dalton State College (about $11,094 more per year; $21,750.00 vs. $10,656.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at South Carolina State University than at Dalton State College (95% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by South Carolina State University students is 74% larger than aid received by Dalton State College students ($11,579 vs. $6,654).

DSC vs. South Carolina State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DSC or South Carolina State University? 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 South Carolina State University and DSC.

• Dalton State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSouth Carolina State University 800/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSouth Carolina State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DSC - Open admission; South Carolina State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: DSC Jul 1, 2027; South Carolina State University Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman South Carolina State University students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.17) than students at DSC (3.1).

DSC vs. South Carolina State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DSC and South Carolina State University? 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).

• South Carolina State University's six-year graduation rate (35%) is higher than Dalton State College's (16%).
• Graduates from Dalton State College earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than South Carolina State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($32,500 vs. $31,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dalton State College graduates have a $18,318 lower median loan debt than South Carolina State University graduates ($14,887 vs. $33,205).
• Among borrowers, DSC graduates have an estimated $190 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Carolina State University graduates ($153 vs. $343).
• More DSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Carolina State University students, three years after graduation. (42% vs. 27%)

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.