USC Aiken vs. Middle Tennessee State University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of South Carolina Aiken in Aiken, SC with Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Middle Tennessee State University is larger than USC Aiken based on total student enrollment (20,488 students vs. 4,022 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Carolina Aiken is located in Aiken, SC (Rural Fringe setting); Middle Tennessee State University is in Murfreesboro, TN (Midsize City setting).
• University of South Carolina Aiken is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Middle Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Carolina Aiken 16:1; Middle Tennessee State University 17:1.

USC Aiken vs. Middle Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USC Aiken or Middle Tennessee State University? 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 Middle Tennessee State University ($12,236 vs. $13,859).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 25% lower than at Middle Tennessee State University ($9,182 vs. $12,242).
• University of South Carolina Aiken is 4.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Middle Tennessee State University (about $494 more per year; $10,760.00 vs. $10,266.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.8% higher at Middle Tennessee State University than at University of South Carolina Aiken (about $10,356 more per year; $31,574.00 vs. $21,218.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Middle Tennessee State University than at University of South Carolina Aiken (94% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Middle Tennessee State University students is 19.8% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students ($10,665 vs. $8,904).

USC Aiken vs. Middle Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USC Aiken or Middle Tennessee State University? 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 Middle Tennessee State University and USC Aiken.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Middle Tennessee State University (1120) is 20 points higher than at USC Aiken (1100).
• Incoming Middle Tennessee State University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at USC Aiken).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Aiken 980/1220; Middle Tennessee State University 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Aiken 19/26; Middle Tennessee State University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USC Aiken - Required; Middle Tennessee State University - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027; Middle Tennessee State University Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Middle Tennessee State University students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at USC Aiken (3.19).
• USC Aiken has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than Middle Tennessee State University (69.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.2% at USC Aiken vs. 30.4% at Middle Tennessee State University.

USC Aiken vs. Middle Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USC Aiken and Middle Tennessee State University? 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).

• Middle Tennessee State University's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than University of South Carolina Aiken's (41%).
• Graduates from Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than USC Aiken graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,300 vs. $39,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Middle Tennessee State University graduates have a $4,242 lower median loan debt than USC Aiken graduates ($21,758 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Middle Tennessee State University graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC Aiken graduates ($224 vs. $268).
• More USC Aiken graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Middle Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 50%)

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.