Elon vs. USC Aiken

Comparable Facts

Compare Elon University in Elon, NC with University of South Carolina Aiken in Aiken, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Elon University is larger than USC Aiken based on total student enrollment (7,239 students vs. 4,022 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elon University is located in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting); University of South Carolina Aiken is in Aiken, SC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Elon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Aiken is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elon University 11:1; University of South Carolina Aiken 16:1.

Elon vs. USC Aiken Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elon or USC Aiken? 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 Aiken than Elon ($12,236 vs. $44,440).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 38.7% lower than at Elon University ($9,182 vs. $14,985).
• Elon University is 336.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Aiken (about $36,198 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $10,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 121.3% higher at Elon than at University of South Carolina Aiken (about $25,740 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $21,218.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Aiken than at Elon University (93% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Elon University students is 100.7% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students ($17,867 vs. $8,904).

Elon vs. USC Aiken Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elon or USC Aiken? 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 USC Aiken and Elon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Elon University (1210) is 110 points higher than at USC Aiken (1100).
• Incoming Elon students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at USC Aiken).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 1130/1280; University of South Carolina Aiken 980/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elon University 23/28; University of South Carolina Aiken 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elon - Test optional; USC Aiken - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Elon Jan 10, 2027; USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Elon students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at USC Aiken (3.19).
• USC Aiken has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than Elon (66.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Elon vs. 28.2% at USC Aiken.

Elon vs. USC Aiken Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elon and USC Aiken? 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).

• Elon University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than University of South Carolina Aiken's (41%).
• Graduates from Elon University earn a median of about $16,600 more per year than USC Aiken graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $39,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Elon University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than USC Aiken graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Elon graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC Aiken graduates ($240 vs. $268).
• More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC Aiken students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 54%)

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.