Union College vs. South Carolina State University

Should I go to Union College or South Carolina State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Union College or South Carolina State University 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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Union College vs. South Carolina State University comparison
Union College South Carolina State University College 3 College 4
Union College South Carolina State University
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Overview

Union College South Carolina State University
Location Barbourville, KY Orangeburg, SC
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 970 2,649
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1011
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website unionky.edu scsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Union College South Carolina State University
Tuition (In State) $28,737 $9,528
Tuition (Out of State) $28,737 $20,218
Room & Board $8,261 $9,000
Avg Net Price $18,221 $17,435
Avg Grant Aid $23,168 $15,873
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 96%

Admission

Union College South Carolina State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,142 6,833
Admitted 610 5,733
Acceptance Rate 53.4% 83.9%
Enrolled % 32.8% 15.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.15 3.17
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/22 15/19
SAT Range 955/1148 800/1050
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jul 31, 2025

Academics

Union College South Carolina State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (24%)
  • Psychology (14%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Work and Family Studies (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Health Professions (9%)

Outcomes

Union College South Carolina State University
Graduation Rate 32% 35%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $34,800 $31,000
Making Student Loan Payments 42% 27%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,000 $33,205
Median Loan Payment $248 $343

Diversity

Union College South Carolina State University
% Men 57% 44%
% Women 43% 56%
Racial Diversity Low Extremely Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 72% 2%
% Black 12% 96%
% Hispanic 2% 0%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 0%
% International 8% 0%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

Union College South Carolina State University
% In-State 58% 77%
% Out-of-State 28% 23%

Campus

Union College South Carolina State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • South Carolina State University is larger than than Union College based on total student enrollment (2,649 students vs. 970 students)

Union College vs. South Carolina State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Union College or South Carolina State University?

  • Union College is 201.6% more expensive to attend than South Carolina State University for in-state tuition ($28,737.00 vs. $9,528.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 42.1% higher at Union College than South Carolina State University ($28,737.00 vs. $20,218.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at South Carolina State University than Union College ($17,435 vs. $18,221)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 8.9% lower than costs at South Carolina State University ($8,261 vs. $9,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Union College than South Carolina State University (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Union College students is 46% larger than aid received South Carolina State University ($23,168 vs. $15,873)

Union College vs. South Carolina State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Union College or South Carolina State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between South Carolina State University or Union College .

  • The average SAT score at Union College (970) is 210 points higher than at South Carolina State University (760)
  • Incoming Union College students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at South Carolina State University (16)
  • Accepted freshman South Carolina State University students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.17) than students at Union College (3.15)
  • South Carolina State University has a higher acceptance rate (83.9%) than Union College (53.4%)

Union College vs. South Carolina State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Union College or South Carolina State University? 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 South Carolina State University and Union College.

  • The graduation rate at South Carolina State University is higher than Union College (35% vs. 32%)
  • Graduates from Union College earn on average $3,800 more per year than South Carolina State University graduates after ten years. ($34,800 vs. $31,000)
  • Union College students graduate with a $9,205 lower median federal student loan debt than South Carolina State University graduates. ($24,000 vs. $33,205)
  • Union College graduates are paying $95 less per month on federal student loans than South Carolina State University graduates. ($248 vs. $343)
  • More Union College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Carolina State University students, three years after graduation. (42% vs. 27%)

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