Montreat College vs. USC Aiken

Comparable Facts

Compare Montreat College in Montreat, 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 Montreat College based on total student enrollment (4,022 students vs. 962 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Montreat College is located in Montreat, NC (Midsize Suburban setting); University of South Carolina Aiken is in Aiken, SC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Montreat College 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: Montreat College 11:1; University of South Carolina Aiken 16:1.

Montreat College vs. USC Aiken Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Montreat College 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 Montreat College ($12,236 vs. $28,112).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 22.8% lower than at Montreat College ($9,182 vs. $11,890).
• Montreat College is 238.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Aiken (about $25,690 more per year; $36,450.00 vs. $10,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71.8% higher at Montreat College than at University of South Carolina Aiken (about $15,232 more per year; $36,450.00 vs. $21,218.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Montreat College than at University of South Carolina Aiken (94% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Montreat College students is 113.3% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students ($18,992 vs. $8,904).

Montreat College vs. USC Aiken Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Montreat College 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 Montreat College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Montreat College (1130) is 30 points higher than at USC Aiken (1100).
• Incoming Montreat College 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: Montreat College 1030/1220; University of South Carolina Aiken 980/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Montreat College 21/28; University of South Carolina Aiken 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Montreat College - Test-free; USC Aiken - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USC Aiken students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.19) than students at Montreat College (3.07).
• USC Aiken has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than Montreat College (69.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at Montreat College vs. 28.2% at USC Aiken.

Montreat College vs. USC Aiken Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Montreat College 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 Montreat College's (35%).
• Graduates from Montreat College earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than USC Aiken graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,900 vs. $39,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Montreat College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than USC Aiken graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Montreat College graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC Aiken graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More Montreat College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC Aiken students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 54%)

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.