Lander University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate

Comparable Facts

Compare Lander University in Greenwood, SC 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 Lander University based on total student enrollment (4,916 students vs. 4,378 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lander University is located in Greenwood, SC (Distant Town setting); University of South Carolina Upstate is in Spartanburg, SC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Lander University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Upstate is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lander University 18:1; University of South Carolina Upstate 15:1.

Lander University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lander University 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 Lander University ($13,999 vs. $15,520).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Upstate are 13% lower than at Lander University ($10,533 vs. $12,100).
• Lander University is 1% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of South Carolina-Upstate (about $112 more per year; $11,700.00 vs. $11,588.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.4% higher at University of South Carolina-Upstate than at Lander University (about $1,790 more per year; $23,090.00 vs. $21,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lander University than at University of South Carolina Upstate (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lander University students is 14.1% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Upstate students ($12,232 vs. $10,719).

Lander University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lander University or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 University of South Carolina-Upstate and Lander University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Upstate (1090) is 30 points higher than at Lander University (1060).
• Incoming University of South Carolina-Upstate students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 19 at Lander University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lander University 950/1178; University of South Carolina Upstate 1005/1175.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lander University 16/23; University of South Carolina Upstate 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lander University - Test optional; University of South Carolina-Upstate - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Lander University students have a 1.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53).
• Lander University has a higher acceptance rate (81.3%) than University of South Carolina-Upstate (67.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.7% at Lander University vs. 24% at University of South Carolina-Upstate.

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

How do outcomes compare for Lander University and University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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).

• University of South Carolina Upstate's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Lander University's (37%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Lander University graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,300 vs. $37,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Upstate graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Lander University graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lander University graduates ($232 vs. $279).
• More University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lander University students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 46%)

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.