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Clemson Iowa Georgia CofC Virginia Tech NC State Auburn Florida State Michigan State Purdue Nebraska UIC| Iowa State University | University of South Carolina Columbia | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
ISU | UofSC | ||
| Location | Ames, IA | Columbia, SC | ||
| Setting | Small City | Midsize City | ||
| Enrollment | 30,177 | 36,579 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #351 | #210 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | iastate.edu | sc.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
ISU | UofSC | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $8,982 | $12,288 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $26,168 | $34,534 | ||
| Room & Board | $9,726 | $12,558 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $17,354 | $26,068 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $10,718 | $6,762 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 77% | 91% |
Admission |
ISU | UofSC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 22,995 | 46,682 | ||
| Admitted | 20,496 | 28,706 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 89.1% | 61.5% | ||
| Enrolled % | 28.6% | 25.5% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.7 | 3.69 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Difficult | Very High | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 21/28 | 26/32 | ||
| SAT Range | 1110/1350 | 1180/1380 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Dec 1, 2025 |
Academics |
ISU | UofSC | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 18:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
ISU | UofSC | ||
| Graduation Rate | 68% | 70% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $53,700 | $51,700 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 74% | 69% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $23,868 | $23,250 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $246 | $240 |
Diversity |
ISU | UofSC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 8% | 8% | ||
| % Women | 8% | 14% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 76% | 77% | ||
| % Black | 3% | 10% | ||
| % Hispanic | 5% | 4% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 4% | ||
| % International | 7% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 5% | 1% |
Students |
ISU | UofSC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 52% | 54% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 45% | 45% | ||
Campus |
ISU | UofSC | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- University of South Carolina Columbia is larger than than ISU based on total student enrollment (36,579 students vs. 30,177 students)
ISU vs. UofSC Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, ISU or UofSC?
- University of South Carolina Columbia is 36.8% more expensive to attend than ISU for in-state tuition ($12,288.00 vs. $8,982.00)
- Out of state tuition is 32% higher at UofSC than Iowa State University ($34,534.00 vs. $26,168.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Iowa State University than UofSC ($17,354 vs. $26,068)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 29.1% lower than costs at University of South Carolina Columbia ($9,726 vs. $12,558)
- More students receive financial grant aid at University of South Carolina Columbia than Iowa State University (91% vs. 77%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Iowa State University students is 58.5% larger than aid received University of South Carolina Columbia ($10,718 vs. $6,762)
ISU vs. UofSC Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, ISU or UofSC? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UofSC or ISU .
- The average SAT score at University of South Carolina Columbia (1220) is 78 points higher than at ISU (1142)
- Incoming UofSC students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at ISU (25)
- Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at UofSC (3.69)
- ISU has a higher acceptance rate (89.1%) than UofSC (61.5%)
ISU vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, ISU or UofSC? 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 UofSC and ISU.
- The graduation rate at UofSC is higher than Iowa State University (70% vs. 68%)
- Graduates from Iowa State University earn on average $2,000 more per year than UofSC graduates after ten years. ($53,700 vs. $51,700)
- University of South Carolina Columbia students graduate with a $618 lower median federal student loan debt than ISU graduates. ($23,250 vs. $23,868)
- UofSC graduates are paying $6 less per month on federal student loans than ISU graduates. ($240 vs. $246)
- More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UofSC students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 69%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/