UALR vs. USC Aiken

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas at Little Rock in Little Rock, AR with University of South Carolina Aiken in Aiken, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Arkansas at Little Rock is larger than USC Aiken based on total student enrollment (8,216 students vs. 4,022 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas at Little Rock is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); University of South Carolina Aiken is in Aiken, SC (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Aiken is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 13:1; University of South Carolina Aiken 16:1.

UALR vs. USC Aiken Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UALR or USC Aiken? 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 Arkansas at Little Rock than USC Aiken ($12,033 vs. $12,236).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 14.7% lower than at University of Arkansas at Little Rock ($9,182 vs. $10,760).
• University of South Carolina Aiken is 10.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UALR (about $1,012 more per year; $10,760.00 vs. $9,748.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.4% higher at UALR than at University of South Carolina Aiken (about $940 more per year; $22,158.00 vs. $21,218.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Aiken than at University of Arkansas at Little Rock (93% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Arkansas at Little Rock students is 23.7% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students ($11,013 vs. $8,904).

UALR vs. USC Aiken Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UALR or USC Aiken? 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 USC Aiken and UALR.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Aiken (1100) is 10 points higher than at UALR (1090).
• Incoming USC Aiken students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at UALR).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 960/1210; University of South Carolina Aiken 980/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 17/24; University of South Carolina Aiken 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UALR - Required; USC Aiken - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UALR Aug 17, 2027; USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UALR students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at USC Aiken (3.19).
• USC Aiken has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than UALR (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.8% at UALR vs. 28.2% at USC Aiken.

UALR vs. USC Aiken Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UALR and USC Aiken? 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 Aiken's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than University of Arkansas at Little Rock's (21%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Aiken earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than UALR graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,600 vs. $38,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than USC Aiken graduates ($20,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UALR graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC Aiken graduates ($211 vs. $268).
• More USC Aiken graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UALR students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 51%)

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.