University of South Alabama vs. USC Aiken

Should I go to University of South Alabama or University of South Carolina Aiken? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of South Alabama or USC Aiken is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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University of South Alabama vs. University of South Carolina Aiken comparison
University of South Alabama University of South Carolina Aiken College 3 College 4
University of South Alabama
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Overview

University of South Alabama USC Aiken
Location Mobile, AL Aiken, SC
Setting Midsize City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 13,768 3,855
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #750 #883
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website southalabama.edu usca.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of South Alabama USC Aiken
Tuition (In State) $8,976 $10,398
Tuition (Out of State) $17,952 $20,856
Room & Board $8,830 $8,736
Avg Net Price $13,613 $11,697
Avg Grant Aid $8,500 $9,701
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 98%

Admission

University of South Alabama USC Aiken
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,593 2,905
Admitted 8,247 2,316
Acceptance Rate 65.5% 79.7%
Enrolled % 23.3% 26.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.69 3.19
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Moderate Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/26 17/23
SAT Range 1015/1200 970/1200
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

University of South Alabama USC Aiken
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (27%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Engineering (6%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Business (25%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)

Outcomes

University of South Alabama USC Aiken
Graduation Rate 39% 41%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,200 $39,600
Making Student Loan Payments 45% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,500 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $253 $268

Diversity

University of South Alabama USC Aiken
% Men 7% 6%
% Women 28% 13%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 59% 58%
% Black 24% 27%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 5% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

University of South Alabama USC Aiken
% In-State 73% 88%
% Out-of-State 26% 11%

Campus

University of South Alabama USC Aiken
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of South Alabama is larger than than USC Aiken based on total student enrollment (13,768 students vs. 3,855 students)

University of South Alabama vs. USC Aiken Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of South Alabama or USC Aiken?

  • University of South Carolina Aiken is 15.8% more expensive to attend than University of South Alabama for in-state tuition ($10,398.00 vs. $8,976.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 16.2% higher at USC Aiken than University of South Alabama ($20,856.00 vs. $17,952.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Carolina Aiken than University of South Alabama ($11,697 vs. $13,613)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 1.1% lower than costs at University of South Alabama ($8,736 vs. $8,830)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of South Carolina Aiken than University of South Alabama (98% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students is 14.1% larger than aid received University of South Alabama ($9,701 vs. $8,500)

University of South Alabama vs. USC Aiken Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of South Alabama or USC Aiken? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between USC Aiken or University of South Alabama .

  • The average SAT score at University of South Alabama (1045) is 69 points higher than at USC Aiken (976)
  • Incoming University of South Alabama students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at USC Aiken (21)
  • Accepted freshman University of South Alabama students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at USC Aiken (3.19)
  • USC Aiken has a higher acceptance rate (79.7%) than University of South Alabama (65.5%)

University of South Alabama vs. USC Aiken Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of South Alabama or USC Aiken? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between USC Aiken and University of South Alabama.

  • The graduation rate at USC Aiken is higher than University of South Alabama (41% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from University of South Alabama earn on average $5,600 more per year than USC Aiken graduates after ten years. ($45,200 vs. $39,600)
  • University of South Alabama students graduate with a $1,500 lower median federal student loan debt than USC Aiken graduates. ($24,500 vs. $26,000)
  • University of South Alabama graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than USC Aiken graduates. ($253 vs. $268)
  • More USC Aiken graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Alabama students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 45%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/