USC Aiken vs. South Carolina State University

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Aiken is larger than South Carolina State University based on total student enrollment (4,022 students vs. 3,242 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Carolina Aiken is located in Aiken, SC (Rural Fringe setting); South Carolina State University is in Orangeburg, SC (Distant Town setting).
• University of South Carolina Aiken is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. South Carolina State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Carolina Aiken 16:1; South Carolina State University 19:1.

USC Aiken vs. South Carolina State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USC Aiken or South Carolina 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 South Carolina State University ($12,236 vs. $17,965).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Carolina State University are 2% lower than at University of South Carolina Aiken ($9,000 vs. $9,182).
• South Carolina State University is 2.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Aiken (about $300 more per year; $11,060.00 vs. $10,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.5% higher at South Carolina State University than at University of South Carolina Aiken (about $532 more per year; $21,750.00 vs. $21,218.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at South Carolina State University than at University of South Carolina Aiken (95% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by South Carolina State University students is 30% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students ($11,579 vs. $8,904).

USC Aiken vs. South Carolina State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USC Aiken or South Carolina 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 South Carolina State University and USC Aiken.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Aiken (1100) is 170 points higher than at South Carolina State University (930).
• Incoming USC Aiken students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 17 at South Carolina State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Aiken 980/1220; South Carolina State University 800/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Aiken 19/26; South Carolina State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USC Aiken - Required; South Carolina State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027; South Carolina State University Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USC Aiken students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.19) than students at South Carolina State University (3.17).
• South Carolina State University has a higher acceptance rate (82.6%) than USC Aiken (78.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.2% at USC Aiken vs. 11.4% at South Carolina State University.

USC Aiken vs. South Carolina State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USC Aiken and South Carolina 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).

• University of South Carolina Aiken's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than South Carolina State University's (35%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Aiken earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than South Carolina State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,600 vs. $31,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Aiken graduates have a $7,205 lower median loan debt than South Carolina State University graduates ($26,000 vs. $33,205).
• Among borrowers, USC Aiken graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Carolina State University graduates ($268 vs. $343).
• More USC Aiken graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Carolina State University students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 27%)

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.