USC Aiken vs. Lee University

Should I go to University of South Carolina Aiken or Lee University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if USC Aiken or Lee University 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 Carolina Aiken vs. Lee University comparison
University of South Carolina Aiken Lee University College 3 College 4
Lee University
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Overview

USC Aiken Lee University
Location Aiken, SC Cleveland, TN
Setting Rural Fringe Small City
Enrollment 3,855 3,680
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #883 #809
Religious Affiliation - Church of God - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website usca.edu leeuniversity.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

USC Aiken Lee University
Tuition (In State) $10,398 $21,960
Tuition (Out of State) $20,856 $21,960
Room & Board $8,736 $9,340
Avg Net Price $11,697 $20,222
Avg Grant Aid $9,701 $14,251
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 94%

Admission

USC Aiken Lee University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,905 2,150
Admitted 2,316 1,552
Acceptance Rate 79.7% 72.2%
Enrolled % 26.6% 35.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.19 3.73
Typical High School Grades B A-
Admissions Standards Very Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/23 20/26
SAT Range 970/1200 1020/1240
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 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

USC Aiken Lee University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (25%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (16%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Psychology (10%)

Outcomes

USC Aiken Lee University
Graduation Rate 41% 49%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,600 $37,100
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $279

Diversity

USC Aiken Lee University
% Men 6% 5%
% Women 13% 7%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 58% 79%
% Black 27% 6%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 1%
% International 4% 5%
% Unknown Race 2% 4%

Students

USC Aiken Lee University
% In-State 88% 48%
% Out-of-State 11% 50%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of South Carolina Aiken is larger than than Lee University based on total student enrollment (3,855 students vs. 3,680 students)

USC Aiken vs. Lee University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USC Aiken or Lee University?

  • Lee University is 111.2% more expensive to attend than USC Aiken for in-state tuition ($21,960.00 vs. $10,398.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 5.3% higher at Lee University than University of South Carolina Aiken ($21,960.00 vs. $20,856.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Carolina Aiken than Lee University ($11,697 vs. $20,222)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 6.9% lower than costs at Lee University ($8,736 vs. $9,340)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of South Carolina Aiken than Lee University (98% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lee University students is 46.9% larger than aid received University of South Carolina Aiken ($14,251 vs. $9,701)

USC Aiken vs. Lee University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Lee University (1088) is 112 points higher than at USC Aiken (976)
  • Incoming Lee University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at USC Aiken (21)
  • Accepted freshman Lee University students have a 0.54 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at USC Aiken (3.19)
  • USC Aiken has a higher acceptance rate (79.7%) than Lee University (72.2%)

USC Aiken vs. Lee University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, USC Aiken or Lee University? 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 Lee University and USC Aiken.

  • The graduation rate at Lee University is higher than University of South Carolina Aiken (49% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from University of South Carolina Aiken earn on average $2,500 more per year than Lee University graduates after ten years. ($39,600 vs. $37,100)
  • University of South Carolina Aiken students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Lee University graduates. ($26,000 vs. $27,000)
  • USC Aiken graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Lee University graduates. ($268 vs. $279)
  • More Lee University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC Aiken students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 54%)

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