UA Huntsville vs. UofSC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Alabama in Huntsville in Huntsville, AL 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 UA Huntsville based on total student enrollment (38,532 students vs. 8,564 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Alabama in Huntsville is located in Huntsville, AL (Midsize City setting); University of South Carolina Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• University of Alabama in Huntsville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Alabama in Huntsville 17:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

UA Huntsville vs. UofSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UA Huntsville 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 Alabama in Huntsville than UofSC ($19,396 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Alabama in Huntsville are 8.2% lower than at University of South Carolina Columbia ($12,428 vs. $13,534).
• University of South Carolina Columbia is 4.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UA Huntsville (about $556 more per year; $12,688.00 vs. $12,132.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.2% higher at UofSC than at University of Alabama in Huntsville (about $9,564 more per year; $35,972.00 vs. $26,408.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Alabama in Huntsville than at University of South Carolina Columbia (95% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Alabama in Huntsville students is 29.8% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($9,268 vs. $7,139).

UA Huntsville vs. UofSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UA Huntsville 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 UA Huntsville.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Alabama in Huntsville (1310) is 40 points higher than at UofSC (1270).
• Incoming UofSC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 27 at UA Huntsville).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama in Huntsville 1210/1410; University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama in Huntsville 24/31; University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UA Huntsville - Test optional; UofSC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UA Huntsville students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at UofSC (3.69).
• UA Huntsville has a higher acceptance rate (68.6%) than UofSC (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.2% at UA Huntsville vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

UA Huntsville vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UA Huntsville 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 University of Alabama in Huntsville's (45%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than UA Huntsville graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $50,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Columbia graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than UA Huntsville graduates ($23,250 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, UofSC graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UA Huntsville graduates ($240 vs. $242).
• More UofSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UA Huntsville students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 55%)

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.