Meredith vs. UofSC

Comparable Facts

Compare Meredith College in Raleigh, NC with University of South Carolina Columbia in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Carolina Columbia is larger than Meredith based on total student enrollment (38,532 students vs. 1,465 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Meredith College is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); University of South Carolina Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Meredith College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Meredith College 10:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

Meredith vs. UofSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Meredith or UofSC? 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 Meredith College than UofSC ($24,323 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Meredith College are 1.9% lower than at University of South Carolina Columbia ($13,280 vs. $13,534).
• Meredith College is 259.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UofSC (about $32,942 more per year; $45,630.00 vs. $12,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.8% higher at Meredith than at University of South Carolina Columbia (about $9,658 more per year; $45,630.00 vs. $35,972.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Meredith College than at University of South Carolina Columbia (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Meredith College students is 363.9% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($33,116 vs. $7,139).

Meredith vs. UofSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Meredith or UofSC? 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 UofSC and Meredith.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Columbia (1270) is 50 points higher than at Meredith (1220).
• Incoming UofSC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at Meredith).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Meredith College 1098/1348; University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Meredith College 23/29; University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Meredith - Test optional; UofSC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Meredith Feb 15, 2027; UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UofSC students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Meredith (3.52).
• Meredith has a higher acceptance rate (74.2%) than UofSC (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Meredith vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

Meredith vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Meredith and UofSC? 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 Columbia's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Meredith College's (59%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of about $11,700 more per year than Meredith graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Columbia graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Meredith graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UofSC graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Meredith graduates ($240 vs. $268).
• More UofSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Meredith students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 65%)

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.