LSUA vs. USC Aiken

Comparable Facts

Compare Louisiana State University Alexandria in Alexandria, LA with University of South Carolina Aiken in Aiken, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Louisiana State University Alexandria is larger than USC Aiken based on total student enrollment (6,815 students vs. 4,022 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Louisiana State University Alexandria is located in Alexandria, LA (Rural Fringe setting); University of South Carolina Aiken is in Aiken, SC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Louisiana State University Alexandria is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Aiken is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Louisiana State University Alexandria 33:1; University of South Carolina Aiken 16:1.

LSUA vs. USC Aiken Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LSUA or USC Aiken? 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 Louisiana State University Alexandria than USC Aiken ($8,296 vs. $12,236).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 4.3% lower than at Louisiana State University Alexandria ($9,182 vs. $9,598).
• University of South Carolina Aiken is 52.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than LSUA (about $3,710 more per year; $10,760.00 vs. $7,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.8% higher at USC Aiken than at Louisiana State University Alexandria (about $6,568 more per year; $21,218.00 vs. $14,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Aiken than at Louisiana State University Alexandria (93% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students is 17.8% larger than aid received by Louisiana State University Alexandria students ($8,904 vs. $7,561).

LSUA vs. USC Aiken Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LSUA or USC Aiken? 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 USC Aiken and LSUA.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Louisiana State University Alexandria (1100) is the same as at USC Aiken (1100).
• Incoming USC Aiken students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (22 vs. 19 at LSUA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Louisiana State University Alexandria 970/1220; University of South Carolina Aiken 980/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Louisiana State University Alexandria 17/22; University of South Carolina Aiken 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LSUA - Required; USC Aiken - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman USC Aiken students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.19) than students at LSUA (3.16).
• LSUA has a higher acceptance rate (92.1%) than USC Aiken (78.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 66.6% at LSUA vs. 28.2% at USC Aiken.

LSUA vs. USC Aiken Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LSUA and USC Aiken? 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.

• University of South Carolina Aiken's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Louisiana State University Alexandria's (12%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Aiken earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than LSUA graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,600 vs. $35,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Louisiana State University Alexandria graduates have a $8,293 lower median loan debt than USC Aiken graduates ($17,707 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, LSUA graduates have an estimated $85 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC Aiken graduates ($183 vs. $268).
• More USC Aiken graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LSUA 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.