UNC Charlotte vs. UofSC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Charlotte, NC 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 UNC Charlotte based on total student enrollment (38,532 students vs. 31,091 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Charlotte is located in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting); University of South Carolina Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte 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 North Carolina at Charlotte 21:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

UNC Charlotte vs. UofSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNC Charlotte 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 North Carolina at Charlotte than UofSC ($15,045 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Columbia are 6.4% lower than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte ($13,534 vs. $14,458).
• University of South Carolina Columbia is 75.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Charlotte (about $5,449 more per year; $12,688.00 vs. $7,239.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.9% higher at UofSC than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (about $13,480 more per year; $35,972.00 vs. $22,492.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Columbia than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (91% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina at Charlotte students is 11.6% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($7,966 vs. $7,139).

UNC Charlotte vs. UofSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNC Charlotte 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 UNC Charlotte.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Columbia (1270) is 30 points higher than at UNC Charlotte (1240).
• Incoming UofSC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 24 at UNC Charlotte).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Charlotte 1140/1330; University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21/28; University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNC Charlotte - Test optional; UofSC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Charlotte Jun 1, 2027; UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UofSC students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at UNC Charlotte (3.57).
• UNC Charlotte has a higher acceptance rate (79.6%) than UofSC (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.5% at UNC Charlotte vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

UNC Charlotte vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNC Charlotte 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 North Carolina at Charlotte's (53%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than UNC Charlotte graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Charlotte graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than UofSC graduates ($23,000 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, UNC Charlotte graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UofSC graduates ($237 vs. $240).
• More UofSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNC Charlotte students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 61%)

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.