Paine College vs. South Carolina State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Paine College in Augusta, GA with South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

South Carolina State University is larger than Paine College based on total student enrollment (3,242 students vs. 390 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Paine College is located in Augusta, GA (Midsize City setting); South Carolina State University is in Orangeburg, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Paine College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. South Carolina State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Paine College 11:1; South Carolina State University 19:1.

Paine College vs. South Carolina State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Paine College or South Carolina State University? 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 Paine College than South Carolina State University ($15,935 vs. $17,965).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Paine College are 16.5% lower than at South Carolina State University ($7,512 vs. $9,000).
• Paine College is 32% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Carolina State University (about $3,536 more per year; $14,596.00 vs. $11,060.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49% higher at South Carolina State University than at Paine College (about $7,154 more per year; $21,750.00 vs. $14,596.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Paine College than at South Carolina State University (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Paine College students is 4.9% larger than aid received by South Carolina State University students ($12,145 vs. $11,579).

Paine College vs. South Carolina State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Paine College or South Carolina State University? 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 South Carolina State University and Paine College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at South Carolina State University (930) is 50 points higher than at Paine College (880).
• Incoming Paine College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 17) as students at South Carolina State University (17).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Paine College 776/976; South Carolina State University 800/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Paine College 15/19; South Carolina State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Paine College - Test-free; South Carolina State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Paine College Jul 1, 2027; South Carolina State University Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman South Carolina State University students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.17) than students at Paine College (2.81).
• Paine College has a higher acceptance rate (95.4%) than South Carolina State University (82.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.6% at Paine College vs. 11.4% at South Carolina State University.

Paine College vs. South Carolina State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Paine College and South Carolina State University? 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).

• South Carolina State University's six-year graduation rate (35%) is higher than Paine College's (27%).
• Graduates from South Carolina State University earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Paine College graduates about ten years after starting college ($31,000 vs. $28,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, South Carolina State University graduates have a $2,545 lower median loan debt than Paine College graduates ($33,205 vs. $35,750).
• Among borrowers, South Carolina State University graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Paine College graduates ($343 vs. $369).
• More South Carolina State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Paine College students, three years after graduation. (27% vs. 15%)

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.