Methodist vs. USC Aiken

Comparable Facts

Compare Methodist University in Fayetteville, NC with University of South Carolina Aiken in Aiken, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Carolina Aiken is larger than Methodist based on total student enrollment (4,022 students vs. 1,822 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Methodist University is located in Fayetteville, NC (Midsize City setting); University of South Carolina Aiken is in Aiken, SC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Aiken is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Methodist University 11:1; University of South Carolina Aiken 16:1.

Methodist vs. USC Aiken Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Methodist 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 University of South Carolina Aiken than Methodist ($12,236 vs. $26,334).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 35.6% lower than at Methodist University ($9,182 vs. $14,250).
• Methodist University is 283.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Aiken (about $30,490 more per year; $41,250.00 vs. $10,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 94.4% higher at Methodist than at University of South Carolina Aiken (about $20,032 more per year; $41,250.00 vs. $21,218.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Methodist University than at University of South Carolina Aiken (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Methodist University students is 231% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students ($29,476 vs. $8,904).

Methodist vs. USC Aiken Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Methodist University (1170) is 70 points higher than at USC Aiken (1100).
• Incoming Methodist students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at USC Aiken).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Methodist University 1080/1250; University of South Carolina Aiken 980/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Methodist University 22/27; University of South Carolina Aiken 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Methodist - Test optional; USC Aiken - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Methodist students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at USC Aiken (3.19).
• USC Aiken has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than Methodist (75.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Methodist vs. 28.2% at USC Aiken.

Methodist vs. USC Aiken Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Methodist and USC Aiken? 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 Aiken's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Methodist University's (39%).
• Graduates from Methodist University earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than USC Aiken graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,700 vs. $39,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Aiken graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Methodist graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, USC Aiken graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Methodist graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More USC Aiken graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Methodist students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 49%)

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.