Spelman vs. UofSC

Comparable Facts

Compare Spelman College 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 Spelman based on total student enrollment (38,532 students vs. 3,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spelman College is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); University of South Carolina Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Spelman 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: Spelman College 11:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

Spelman vs. UofSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Spelman 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 University of South Carolina Columbia than Spelman ($24,488 vs. $40,354).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Columbia are 25.2% lower than at Spelman College ($13,534 vs. $18,091).
• Spelman College is 148.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UofSC (about $18,868 more per year; $31,556.00 vs. $12,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14% higher at UofSC than at Spelman College (about $4,416 more per year; $35,972.00 vs. $31,556.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spelman College than at University of South Carolina Columbia (96% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spelman College students is 48.7% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($10,614 vs. $7,139).

Spelman vs. UofSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Spelman 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 Spelman.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Columbia (1270) is 60 points higher than at Spelman (1210).
• Incoming UofSC students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at Spelman).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spelman College 1108/1320; University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spelman College 22/29; University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Spelman - Test optional; UofSC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Spelman Feb 1, 2027; UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Spelman students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at UofSC (3.69).
• UofSC has a higher acceptance rate (60.2%) than Spelman (24.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.6% at Spelman vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

Spelman vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Spelman 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).

• Spelman College's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than University of South Carolina Columbia's (70%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of about $400 more per year than Spelman graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $51,300), 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 Spelman graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UofSC graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Spelman graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More UofSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spelman students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 47%)

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.