Guilford College vs. USC Aiken

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Aiken is larger than Guilford College based on total student enrollment (4,022 students vs. 1,180 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Guilford College is located in Greensboro, NC (Large City setting); University of South Carolina Aiken is in Aiken, SC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Guilford College 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: Guilford College 12:1; University of South Carolina Aiken 16:1.

Guilford College vs. USC Aiken Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Guilford College 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 Guilford College ($12,236 vs. $22,270).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 31.5% lower than at Guilford College ($9,182 vs. $13,400).
• Guilford College is 284.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Aiken (about $30,602 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $10,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 94.9% higher at Guilford College than at University of South Carolina Aiken (about $20,144 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $21,218.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Guilford College than at University of South Carolina Aiken (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Guilford College students is 275.3% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students ($33,419 vs. $8,904).

Guilford College vs. USC Aiken Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Guilford College 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 Guilford College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Guilford College (1190) is 90 points higher than at USC Aiken (1100).
• Incoming USC Aiken students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Guilford College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Guilford College 1120/1260; University of South Carolina Aiken 980/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Guilford College 18/24; University of South Carolina Aiken 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Guilford College - Test optional; USC Aiken - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USC Aiken students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.19) than students at Guilford College (3.14).
• Guilford College has a higher acceptance rate (80%) than USC Aiken (78.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.1% at Guilford College vs. 28.2% at USC Aiken.

Guilford College vs. USC Aiken Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Guilford College 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).

• Guilford College's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than University of South Carolina Aiken's (41%).
• Graduates from Guilford College earn a median of about $700 more per year than USC Aiken graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $39,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Aiken graduates have a $635 lower median loan debt than Guilford College graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,635).
• Among borrowers, USC Aiken graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Guilford College graduates ($268 vs. $275).
• More USC Aiken graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Guilford College students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 51%)

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.