Ogelthorpe vs. UofSC

Comparable Facts

Compare Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, GA 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 Ogelthorpe based on total student enrollment (38,532 students vs. 1,425 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Oglethorpe University is located in Atlanta, GA (Large Suburban setting); University of South Carolina Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Oglethorpe University 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: Oglethorpe University 13:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

Ogelthorpe vs. UofSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ogelthorpe 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 Oglethorpe University than UofSC ($20,490 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Columbia are 14.2% lower than at Oglethorpe University ($13,534 vs. $15,780).
• Oglethorpe University is 275.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UofSC (about $34,902 more per year; $47,590.00 vs. $12,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.3% higher at Ogelthorpe than at University of South Carolina Columbia (about $11,618 more per year; $47,590.00 vs. $35,972.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oglethorpe University than at University of South Carolina Columbia (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Oglethorpe University students is 447.1% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($39,054 vs. $7,139).

Ogelthorpe vs. UofSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Ogelthorpe 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 Ogelthorpe.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Columbia (1270) is 70 points higher than at Ogelthorpe (1200).
• Incoming UofSC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at Ogelthorpe).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oglethorpe University 1090/1310; University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oglethorpe University 22/31; University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ogelthorpe - Test optional; UofSC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ogelthorpe Jul 15, 2027; UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Ogelthorpe students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at UofSC (3.69).
• Ogelthorpe has a higher acceptance rate (88.4%) than UofSC (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at Ogelthorpe vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

Ogelthorpe vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ogelthorpe 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 Oglethorpe University's (48%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Ogelthorpe graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $49,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Columbia graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Ogelthorpe graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UofSC graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ogelthorpe graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More UofSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ogelthorpe students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 53%)

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.