KWC vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate

Comparable Facts

Compare Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, KY with University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Carolina Upstate is larger than KWC based on total student enrollment (4,916 students vs. 887 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kentucky Wesleyan College is located in Owensboro, KY (Small City setting); University of South Carolina Upstate is in Spartanburg, SC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Upstate is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kentucky Wesleyan College 15:1; University of South Carolina Upstate 15:1.

KWC vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KWC 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 University of South Carolina Upstate than KWC ($13,999 vs. $20,999).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Upstate are 11.2% lower than at Kentucky Wesleyan College ($10,533 vs. $11,855).
• Kentucky Wesleyan College is 199.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of South Carolina-Upstate (about $23,085 more per year; $34,673.00 vs. $11,588.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.2% higher at KWC than at University of South Carolina Upstate (about $11,583 more per year; $34,673.00 vs. $23,090.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kentucky Wesleyan College than at University of South Carolina Upstate (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kentucky Wesleyan College students is 138.2% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Upstate students ($25,538 vs. $10,719).

KWC vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, KWC or University of South Carolina-Upstate? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between University of South Carolina-Upstate and KWC.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of South Carolina Upstate (1090) is 80 points higher than at KWC (1010).
• Incoming University of South Carolina-Upstate students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 19 at KWC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Kentucky Wesleyan College 890/1130; University of South Carolina Upstate 1005/1175.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Kentucky Wesleyan College 16/23; University of South Carolina Upstate 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: KWC - Test optional; University of South Carolina-Upstate - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman KWC students have a 0.77 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53).
• KWC has a higher acceptance rate (71.6%) than University of South Carolina-Upstate (67.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at KWC vs. 24% at University of South Carolina-Upstate.

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

How do outcomes compare for KWC and University of South Carolina-Upstate? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Kentucky Wesleyan College's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than University of South Carolina Upstate's (39%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of about $800 more per year than KWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,300 vs. $38,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Upstate graduates have a $407 lower median loan debt than KWC graduates ($22,500 vs. $22,907).
• Among borrowers, University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than KWC graduates ($232 vs. $236).
• More University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KWC students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.