GS vs. USC Aiken

Should I go to Georgia Southern University or University of South Carolina Aiken? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if GS or USC Aiken is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Georgia Southern University vs. University of South Carolina Aiken comparison
Georgia Southern University University of South Carolina Aiken College 3 College 4
Georgia Southern University
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Overview

GS USC Aiken
Location Statesboro, GA Aiken, SC
Setting Remote Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 25,481 3,840
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #939 #888
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website georgiasouthern.edu usca.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

GS USC Aiken
Tuition (In State) $4,371 $10,398
Tuition (Out of State) $15,425 $20,856
Room & Board $10,316 $8,376
Avg Net Price $15,352 $11,872
Avg Grant Aid $8,806 $9,891
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 100%

Admission

GS USC Aiken
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 14,680 2,453
Admitted 13,049 1,855
Acceptance Rate 88.9% 75.6%
Enrolled % 33.4% 29.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.36 3.19
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/23 18/24
SAT Range 980/1150 950/1180
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

GS USC Aiken
Student to Faculty Ratio 22:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Engineering Technology (7%)
  • Health Professions (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Business (25%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)

Outcomes

GS USC Aiken
Graduation Rate 47% 41%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,800 $39,600
Making Student Loan Payments 52% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,000 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $237 $268

Diversity

GS USC Aiken
% Men 40% 36%
% Women 60% 64%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 62% 58%
% Black 26% 27%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

GS USC Aiken
% In-State 93% 87%
% Out-of-State 6% 11%

Campus

GS USC Aiken
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Georgia Southern University is larger than than USC Aiken based on total student enrollment (25,481 students vs. 3,840 students)

GS vs. USC Aiken Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GS or USC Aiken?

  • University of South Carolina Aiken is 137.9% more expensive to attend than GS for in-state tuition ($10,398.00 vs. $4,371.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 35.2% higher at USC Aiken than Georgia Southern University ($20,856.00 vs. $15,425.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Carolina Aiken than GS ($11,872 vs. $15,352)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 23.2% lower than costs at Georgia Southern University ($8,376 vs. $10,316)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of South Carolina Aiken than Georgia Southern University (100% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students is 12.3% larger than aid received Georgia Southern University ($9,891 vs. $8,806)

GS vs. USC Aiken Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GS or USC Aiken? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between USC Aiken or GS .

  • The average SAT score at Georgia Southern University (1089) is 113 points higher than at USC Aiken (976)
  • Incoming GS students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at USC Aiken (21)
  • Accepted freshman GS students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at USC Aiken (3.19)
  • GS has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than USC Aiken (75.6%)

GS vs. USC Aiken Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GS or USC Aiken? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between USC Aiken and GS.

  • The graduation rate at GS is higher than University of South Carolina Aiken (47% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Georgia Southern University earn on average $5,200 more per year than USC Aiken graduates after ten years. ($44,800 vs. $39,600)
  • Georgia Southern University students graduate with a $3,000 lower median federal student loan debt than USC Aiken graduates. ($23,000 vs. $26,000)
  • GS graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than USC Aiken graduates. ($237 vs. $268)
  • More USC Aiken graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GS students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 52%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/