Lander University vs. USC Aiken

Should I go to Lander University or University of South Carolina Aiken? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Lander University 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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Lander University vs. University of South Carolina Aiken comparison
Lander University University of South Carolina Aiken College 3 College 4
Lander University
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Overview

Lander University USC Aiken
Location Greenwood, SC Aiken, SC
Setting Distant Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 4,167 3,840
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #973 #888
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website lander.edu usca.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Lander University USC Aiken
Tuition (In State) $10,700 $10,398
Tuition (Out of State) $20,300 $20,856
Room & Board $10,700 $8,376
Avg Net Price $15,524 $11,872
Avg Grant Aid $10,763 $9,891
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 100%

Admission

Lander University USC Aiken
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,663 2,453
Admitted 3,143 1,855
Acceptance Rate 67.4% 75.6%
Enrolled % 26.8% 29.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.66 3.19
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/24 18/24
SAT Range 950/1190 950/1180
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 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Lander University USC Aiken
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Business (25%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)

Outcomes

Lander University USC Aiken
Graduation Rate 37% 41%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,000 $39,600
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $268

Diversity

Lander University USC Aiken
% Men 32% 36%
% Women 68% 64%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 58% 58%
% Black 31% 27%
% Hispanic 1% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 4% 4%
% Unknown Race 4% 2%

Students

Lander University USC Aiken
% In-State 87% 87%
% Out-of-State 10% 11%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Lander University is larger than than USC Aiken based on total student enrollment (4,167 students vs. 3,840 students)

Lander University vs. USC Aiken Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lander University or USC Aiken?

  • Lander University is 2.9% more expensive to attend than USC Aiken for in-state tuition ($10,700.00 vs. $10,398.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 2.7% higher at USC Aiken than Lander University ($20,856.00 vs. $20,300.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Carolina Aiken than Lander University ($11,872 vs. $15,524)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 27.7% lower than costs at Lander University ($8,376 vs. $10,700)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of South Carolina Aiken than Lander University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lander University students is 8.8% larger than aid received University of South Carolina Aiken ($10,763 vs. $9,891)

Lander University vs. USC Aiken Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of South Carolina Aiken (976) is 54 points higher than at Lander University (922)
  • Incoming USC Aiken students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Lander University (20)
  • Accepted freshman Lander University students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at USC Aiken (3.19)
  • USC Aiken has a higher acceptance rate (75.6%) than Lander University (67.4%)

Lander University vs. USC Aiken Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Lander University 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 Lander University.

  • The graduation rate at USC Aiken is higher than Lander University (41% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from University of South Carolina Aiken earn on average $2,600 more per year than Lander University graduates after ten years. ($39,600 vs. $37,000)
  • University of South Carolina Aiken students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Lander University graduates. ($26,000 vs. $27,000)
  • USC Aiken graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Lander University graduates. ($268 vs. $279)
  • More USC Aiken graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lander University students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 46%)

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