Life University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate

Comparable Facts

Compare Life University in Marietta, GA 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 Life University based on total student enrollment (4,916 students vs. 2,714 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Life University is located in Marietta, GA (Small City setting); University of South Carolina Upstate is in Spartanburg, SC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Life University 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: Life University 15:1; University of South Carolina Upstate 15:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, Life 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 Life University ($13,999 vs. $29,111).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Upstate are 29.1% lower than at Life University ($10,533 vs. $14,850).
• Life University is 29.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of South Carolina-Upstate (about $3,448 more per year; $15,036.00 vs. $11,588.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.6% higher at University of South Carolina-Upstate than at Life University (about $8,054 more per year; $23,090.00 vs. $15,036.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Upstate than at Life University (97% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Life University students is 5.3% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Upstate students ($11,292 vs. $10,719).

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

Which college is harder to get into, Life 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 Life University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Upstate (1090) is 60 points higher than at Life University (1030).
• Incoming University of South Carolina-Upstate students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 18 at Life University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Life University 920/1130; University of South Carolina Upstate 1005/1175.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Life University 17/20; University of South Carolina Upstate 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Life University - Test optional; University of South Carolina-Upstate - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Life University students have a 0.58 point higher average high school GPA (3.11) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53).
• Life University has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than University of South Carolina-Upstate (67.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 42.1% at Life University vs. 24% at University of South Carolina-Upstate.

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

How do outcomes compare for Life 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).

• Life University's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than University of South Carolina Upstate's (39%).
• Graduates from Life University earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,900 vs. $39,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Life University graduates have a $14,166 lower median loan debt than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates ($8,334 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Life University graduates have an estimated $146 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates ($86 vs. $232).
• More University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Life University students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 33%)

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.