PC vs. UofSC

Comparable Facts

Compare Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC 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 PC based on total student enrollment (38,532 students vs. 1,095 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Presbyterian College is located in Clinton, SC (Distant Town setting); University of South Carolina Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Presbyterian College 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: Presbyterian College 11:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

PC vs. UofSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PC 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 Presbyterian College than UofSC ($20,840 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Columbia are 0.3% lower than at Presbyterian College ($13,534 vs. $13,579).
• Presbyterian College is 254% more expensive for in-state tuition than UofSC (about $32,222 more per year; $44,910.00 vs. $12,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.8% higher at PC than at University of South Carolina Columbia (about $8,938 more per year; $44,910.00 vs. $35,972.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Presbyterian College than at University of South Carolina Columbia (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Presbyterian College students is 451.1% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($39,345 vs. $7,139).

PC vs. UofSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PC 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 PC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Columbia (1270) is 180 points higher than at PC (1090).
• Incoming UofSC students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 23 at PC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Presbyterian College 980/1200; University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Presbyterian College 21/26; University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PC - Test optional; UofSC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: PC Sep 21, 2026; UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UofSC students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at PC (3.6).
• PC has a higher acceptance rate (68.4%) than UofSC (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at PC vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

PC vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PC 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 Presbyterian College's (68%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than PC graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Columbia graduates have a $2,858 lower median loan debt than PC graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,108).
• Among borrowers, UofSC graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PC graduates ($240 vs. $269).
• More PC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UofSC students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 69%)

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.