EIU vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate

Comparable Facts

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

Eastern Illinois University is larger than University of South Carolina-Upstate based on total student enrollment (8,505 students vs. 4,916 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, IL (Remote Town setting); University of South Carolina Upstate is in Spartanburg, SC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Eastern Illinois University 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: Eastern Illinois University 14:1; University of South Carolina Upstate 15:1.

EIU vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EIU 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 Eastern Illinois University than University of South Carolina-Upstate ($13,787 vs. $13,999).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Upstate are 14.2% lower than at Eastern Illinois University ($10,533 vs. $12,282).
• Eastern Illinois University is 18% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of South Carolina-Upstate (about $2,091 more per year; $13,679.00 vs. $11,588.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.4% higher at University of South Carolina-Upstate than at Eastern Illinois University (about $6,873 more per year; $23,090.00 vs. $16,217.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Upstate than at Eastern Illinois University (97% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Illinois University students is 20.9% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Upstate students ($12,960 vs. $10,719).

EIU vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EIU 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 EIU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Upstate (1090) is 100 points higher than at EIU (990).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Illinois University 880/1090; University of South Carolina Upstate 1005/1175.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of South Carolina Upstate 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EIU - Test optional; University of South Carolina-Upstate - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman EIU students have a 0.86 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53).
• University of South Carolina-Upstate has a higher acceptance rate (67.3%) than EIU (65.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at EIU vs. 24% at University of South Carolina-Upstate.

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

How do outcomes compare for EIU 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).

• Eastern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than University of South Carolina Upstate's (39%).
• Graduates from Eastern Illinois University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,500 vs. $39,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Upstate graduates have a $1,150 lower median loan debt than EIU graduates ($22,500 vs. $23,650).
• Among borrowers, University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EIU graduates ($232 vs. $244).
• More EIU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Carolina-Upstate students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.