UO vs. UofSC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Oregon in Eugene, OR 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 UO based on total student enrollment (38,532 students vs. 24,404 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Oregon is located in Eugene, OR (Midsize City setting); University of South Carolina Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• University of Oregon 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 Oregon 19:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

UO vs. UofSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UO 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 South Carolina Columbia than UO ($24,488 vs. $24,605).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Columbia are 18.5% lower than at University of Oregon ($13,534 vs. $16,611).
• University of Oregon is 27.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UofSC (about $3,449 more per year; $16,137.00 vs. $12,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24% higher at UO than at University of South Carolina Columbia (about $8,626 more per year; $44,598.00 vs. $35,972.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Columbia than at University of Oregon (91% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Oregon students is 33.9% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($9,560 vs. $7,139).

UO vs. UofSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UO 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 UO.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Columbia (1270) is 20 points higher than at UO (1250).
• Incoming UofSC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at UO).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Oregon 1130/1360; University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Oregon 23/30; University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UO - Test optional; UofSC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UO Jan 15, 2027; UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UO students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at UofSC (3.69).
• UO has a higher acceptance rate (88.3%) than UofSC (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.4% at UO vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

UO vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UO 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 Oregon's (66%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than UO graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Oregon graduates have a $2,149 lower median loan debt than UofSC graduates ($21,101 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, UO graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UofSC graduates ($218 vs. $240).
• More UofSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UO students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 62%)

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.