Limestone University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate

Comparable Facts

Compare Limestone University in Gaffney, 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 Limestone University based on total student enrollment (4,916 students vs. 1,807 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Limestone University is located in Gaffney, SC (Distant Town setting); University of South Carolina Upstate is in Spartanburg, SC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Limestone 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: Limestone University 11:1; University of South Carolina Upstate 15:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, Limestone 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 Limestone University ($13,999 vs. $19,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Upstate are 6% lower than at Limestone University ($10,533 vs. $11,210).
• Limestone University is 139.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of South Carolina-Upstate (about $16,212 more per year; $27,800.00 vs. $11,588.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.4% higher at Limestone University than at University of South Carolina Upstate (about $4,710 more per year; $27,800.00 vs. $23,090.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Upstate than at Limestone University (97% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Limestone University students is 100.6% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Upstate students ($21,504 vs. $10,719).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Upstate (1090) is 20 points higher than at Limestone University (1070).
• Incoming University of South Carolina-Upstate students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Limestone University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Limestone University 980/1160; University of South Carolina Upstate 1005/1175.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Limestone University 19/25; University of South Carolina Upstate 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Limestone University - Test-free; University of South Carolina-Upstate - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Limestone University students have a 0.89 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53).
• Limestone University has a higher acceptance rate (97.3%) than University of South Carolina-Upstate (67.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.4% at Limestone University vs. 24% at University of South Carolina-Upstate.

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

How do outcomes compare for Limestone 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).

• The graduation rate at Limestone University is the same as at University of South Carolina Upstate (39% vs. 39%).
• Graduates from Limestone University earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,500 vs. $39,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Upstate graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than Limestone University graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,250).
• Among borrowers, University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Limestone University graduates ($232 vs. $281).
• More University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Limestone University students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 36%)

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.