Pfeiffer University vs. USC Aiken

Should I go to Pfeiffer University or University of South Carolina Aiken? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Pfeiffer University or USC Aiken is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Pfeiffer University vs. University of South Carolina Aiken comparison
Pfeiffer University University of South Carolina Aiken College 3 College 4
Pfeiffer University
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Overview

Pfeiffer University USC Aiken
Location Misenheimer, NC Aiken, SC
Setting Distant Rural Rural Fringe
Enrollment 1,076 3,840
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #627 #888
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pfeiffer.edu usca.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Pfeiffer University USC Aiken
Tuition (In State) $31,940 $10,398
Tuition (Out of State) $31,940 $20,856
Room & Board $12,520 $8,376
Avg Net Price $21,575 $11,872
Avg Grant Aid $24,926 $9,891
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Pfeiffer University USC Aiken
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,299 2,453
Admitted 897 1,855
Acceptance Rate 69.1% 75.6%
Enrolled % 18.4% 29.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.18 3.19
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/25 18/24
SAT Range 891/1165 950/1180
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Pfeiffer University USC Aiken
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (28%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (12%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Health Professions (5%)
  • Business (25%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)

Outcomes

Pfeiffer University USC Aiken
Graduation Rate 45% 41%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,100 $39,600
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,399 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $231 $268

Diversity

Pfeiffer University USC Aiken
% Men 39% 36%
% Women 61% 64%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 52% 58%
% Black 21% 27%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 6% 4%
% Unknown Race 15% 2%

Students

Pfeiffer University USC Aiken
% In-State 72% 87%
% Out-of-State 24% 11%

Campus

Pfeiffer University USC Aiken
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of South Carolina Aiken is larger than than Pfeiffer University based on total student enrollment (3,840 students vs. 1,076 students)

Pfeiffer University vs. USC Aiken Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pfeiffer University or USC Aiken?

  • Pfeiffer University is 207.2% more expensive to attend than USC Aiken for in-state tuition ($31,940.00 vs. $10,398.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 53.1% higher at Pfeiffer University than University of South Carolina Aiken ($31,940.00 vs. $20,856.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Carolina Aiken than Pfeiffer University ($11,872 vs. $21,575)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 49.5% lower than costs at Pfeiffer University ($8,376 vs. $12,520)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Pfeiffer University as University of South Carolina Aiken (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Pfeiffer University students is 152% larger than aid received University of South Carolina Aiken ($24,926 vs. $9,891)

Pfeiffer University vs. USC Aiken Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pfeiffer University or USC Aiken? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between USC Aiken or Pfeiffer University .

  • The average SAT score at University of South Carolina Aiken (976) is 45 points higher than at Pfeiffer University (931)
  • Incoming USC Aiken students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Pfeiffer University (20)
  • Accepted freshman USC Aiken students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.19) than students at Pfeiffer University (3.18)
  • USC Aiken has a higher acceptance rate (75.6%) than Pfeiffer University (69.1%)

Pfeiffer University vs. USC Aiken Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Pfeiffer University or USC Aiken? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between USC Aiken and Pfeiffer University.

  • The graduation rate at Pfeiffer University is higher than University of South Carolina Aiken (45% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Pfeiffer University earn on average $1,500 more per year than USC Aiken graduates after ten years. ($41,100 vs. $39,600)
  • Pfeiffer University students graduate with a $3,601 lower median federal student loan debt than USC Aiken graduates. ($22,399 vs. $26,000)
  • Pfeiffer University graduates are paying $37 less per month on federal student loans than USC Aiken graduates. ($231 vs. $268)
  • More Pfeiffer University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC Aiken students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 54%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/