South Carolina State University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate

Comparable Facts

Compare South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, SC with University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Carolina Upstate is larger than South Carolina State University based on total student enrollment (4,916 students vs. 3,242 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• South Carolina State University is located in Orangeburg, SC (Distant Town setting); University of South Carolina Upstate is in Spartanburg, SC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• South Carolina State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Upstate is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: South Carolina State University 19:1; University of South Carolina Upstate 15:1.

South Carolina State University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, South Carolina State University or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 Upstate than South Carolina State University ($13,999 vs. $17,965).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Carolina State University are 14.6% lower than at University of South Carolina Upstate ($9,000 vs. $10,533).
• University of South Carolina Upstate is 4.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Carolina State University (about $528 more per year; $11,588.00 vs. $11,060.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.2% higher at University of South Carolina-Upstate than at South Carolina State University (about $1,340 more per year; $23,090.00 vs. $21,750.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Upstate than at South Carolina State University (97% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by South Carolina State University students is 8% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Upstate students ($11,579 vs. $10,719).

South Carolina State University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, South Carolina State University or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 University of South Carolina-Upstate and South Carolina State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Upstate (1090) is 160 points higher than at South Carolina State University (930).
• Incoming University of South Carolina-Upstate students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 17 at South Carolina State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: South Carolina State University 800/1050; University of South Carolina Upstate 1005/1175.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: South Carolina State University 15/19; University of South Carolina Upstate 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: South Carolina State University - Test-free; University of South Carolina-Upstate - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: South Carolina State University Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman South Carolina State University students have a 0.64 point higher average high school GPA (3.17) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53).
• South Carolina State University has a higher acceptance rate (82.6%) than University of South Carolina-Upstate (67.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.4% at South Carolina State University vs. 24% at University of South Carolina-Upstate.

South Carolina State University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for South Carolina State University and University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 Upstate's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than South Carolina State University's (35%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than South Carolina State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,300 vs. $31,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Upstate graduates have a $10,705 lower median loan debt than South Carolina State University graduates ($22,500 vs. $33,205).
• Among borrowers, University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates have an estimated $111 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Carolina State University graduates ($232 vs. $343).
• More University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Carolina State University students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 27%)

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.