UNCG vs. UofSC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Greensboro, 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 UNCG based on total student enrollment (38,532 students vs. 18,012 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Greensboro is located in Greensboro, NC (Large City setting); University of South Carolina Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina at Greensboro 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 Greensboro 18:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

UNCG vs. UofSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCG 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 Greensboro than UofSC ($11,404 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Greensboro are 21% lower than at University of South Carolina Columbia ($10,688 vs. $13,534).
• University of South Carolina Columbia is 65.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCG (about $5,027 more per year; $12,688.00 vs. $7,661.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.8% higher at UofSC than at University of North Carolina at Greensboro (about $11,960 more per year; $35,972.00 vs. $24,012.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Columbia than at University of North Carolina at Greensboro (91% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina at Greensboro students is 38.2% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($9,863 vs. $7,139).

UNCG vs. UofSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNCG 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 UNCG.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Columbia (1270) is 20 points higher than at UNCG (1250).
• Incoming UofSC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 24 at UNCG).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Greensboro 1150/1355; University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Greensboro 22/27; University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCG - Test optional; UofSC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCG Mar 1, 2027; UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UofSC students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at UNCG (3.59).
• UNCG has a higher acceptance rate (88.5%) than UofSC (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.2% at UNCG vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

UNCG vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCG 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 Greensboro's (53%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of about $12,600 more per year than UNCG graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Greensboro graduates have a $513 lower median loan debt than UofSC graduates ($22,737 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, UNCG graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UofSC graduates ($235 vs. $240).
• More UofSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCG students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 56%)

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.