USC Aiken vs. HSC- Hampden-Sydney

Comparable Facts

Compare University of South Carolina Aiken in Aiken, SC with Hampden Sydney College in Hampden-Sydney, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Carolina Aiken is larger than HSC- Hampden-Sydney based on total student enrollment (4,022 students vs. 946 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Carolina Aiken is located in Aiken, SC (Rural Fringe setting); Hampden Sydney College is in Hampden-Sydney, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• University of South Carolina Aiken is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Hampden Sydney College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Carolina Aiken 16:1; Hampden Sydney College 9:1.

USC Aiken vs. HSC- Hampden-Sydney Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USC Aiken or HSC- Hampden-Sydney? 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 Aiken than HSC- Hampden-Sydney ($12,236 vs. $29,717).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 45.1% lower than at Hampden Sydney College ($9,182 vs. $16,732).
• Hampden Sydney College is 407% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Aiken (about $43,790 more per year; $54,550.00 vs. $10,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 157.1% higher at HSC- Hampden-Sydney than at University of South Carolina Aiken (about $33,332 more per year; $54,550.00 vs. $21,218.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hampden Sydney College than at University of South Carolina Aiken (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hampden Sydney College students is 357.3% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students ($40,720 vs. $8,904).

USC Aiken vs. HSC- Hampden-Sydney Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USC Aiken or HSC- Hampden-Sydney? 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 HSC- Hampden-Sydney and USC Aiken.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hampden Sydney College (1140) is 40 points higher than at USC Aiken (1100).
• Incoming HSC- Hampden-Sydney students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at USC Aiken).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Aiken 980/1220; Hampden Sydney College 1030/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Aiken 19/26; Hampden Sydney College 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USC Aiken - Required; HSC- Hampden-Sydney - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027; HSC- Hampden-Sydney Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman HSC- Hampden-Sydney students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at USC Aiken (3.19).
• USC Aiken has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than HSC- Hampden-Sydney (40.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.2% at USC Aiken vs. 22.8% at HSC- Hampden-Sydney.

USC Aiken vs. HSC- Hampden-Sydney Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USC Aiken and HSC- Hampden-Sydney? 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).

• Hampden Sydney College's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than University of South Carolina Aiken's (41%).
• Graduates from Hampden Sydney College earn a median of about $14,400 more per year than USC Aiken graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $39,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Aiken graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, USC Aiken graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More HSC- Hampden-Sydney graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC Aiken students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 54%)

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.