USC Aiken vs. Randolph

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Aiken is larger than Randolph based on total student enrollment (4,022 students vs. 816 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Carolina Aiken is located in Aiken, SC (Rural Fringe setting); Randolph College is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• University of South Carolina Aiken is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Randolph College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Carolina Aiken 16:1; Randolph College 8:1.

USC Aiken vs. Randolph Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USC Aiken or Randolph? 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 Randolph ($12,236 vs. $21,668).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 25.7% lower than at Randolph College ($9,182 vs. $12,350).
• Randolph College is 181.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Aiken (about $19,550 more per year; $30,310.00 vs. $10,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.9% higher at Randolph than at University of South Carolina Aiken (about $9,092 more per year; $30,310.00 vs. $21,218.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Randolph College than at University of South Carolina Aiken (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Randolph College students is 162.5% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students ($23,372 vs. $8,904).

USC Aiken vs. Randolph Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USC Aiken or Randolph? 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 Randolph and USC Aiken.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Randolph College (1160) is 60 points higher than at USC Aiken (1100).
• Incoming USC Aiken students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at Randolph (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Aiken 980/1220; Randolph College 1100/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Aiken 19/26; Randolph College 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USC Aiken - Required; Randolph - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Randolph students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.35) than students at USC Aiken (3.19).
• Randolph has a higher acceptance rate (93.7%) than USC Aiken (78.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.2% at USC Aiken vs. 11.7% at Randolph.

USC Aiken vs. Randolph Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USC Aiken and Randolph? 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).

• Randolph College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than University of South Carolina Aiken's (41%).
• Graduates from Randolph College earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than USC Aiken graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,200 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 Randolph graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, USC Aiken graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Randolph graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Randolph graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC Aiken students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.