EIU vs. South Carolina State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL with South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Illinois University is larger than South Carolina State University based on total student enrollment (8,505 students vs. 3,242 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, IL (Remote Town setting); South Carolina State University is in Orangeburg, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Eastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. South Carolina State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Illinois University 14:1; South Carolina State University 19:1.

EIU vs. South Carolina State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EIU 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 Eastern Illinois University than South Carolina State University ($13,787 vs. $17,965).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Carolina State University are 26.7% lower than at Eastern Illinois University ($9,000 vs. $12,282).
• Eastern Illinois University is 23.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Carolina State University (about $2,619 more per year; $13,679.00 vs. $11,060.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.1% higher at South Carolina State University than at Eastern Illinois University (about $5,533 more per year; $21,750.00 vs. $16,217.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Illinois University as at South Carolina State University (95% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Illinois University students is 11.9% larger than aid received by South Carolina State University students ($12,960 vs. $11,579).

EIU vs. South Carolina State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EIU 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 EIU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Eastern Illinois University (990) is 60 points higher than at South Carolina State University (930).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Illinois University 880/1090; South 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: EIU - Test optional; South Carolina State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: South Carolina State University Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman EIU students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at South Carolina State University (3.17).
• South Carolina State University has a higher acceptance rate (82.6%) than EIU (65.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at EIU vs. 11.4% at South Carolina State University.

EIU vs. South Carolina State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EIU 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).

• Eastern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than South Carolina State University's (35%).
• Graduates from Eastern Illinois University earn a median of about $12,500 more per year than South Carolina State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,500 vs. $31,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Illinois University graduates have a $9,555 lower median loan debt than South Carolina State University graduates ($23,650 vs. $33,205).
• Among borrowers, EIU graduates have an estimated $99 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Carolina State University graduates ($244 vs. $343).
• More EIU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Carolina State University students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.