USC Aiken vs. UofSC

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Columbia is larger than USC Aiken based on total student enrollment (38,532 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); University of South Carolina Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• University of South Carolina Aiken is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Carolina Aiken 16:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

USC Aiken vs. UofSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USC Aiken or UofSC? 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 UofSC ($12,236 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 32.2% lower than at University of South Carolina Columbia ($9,182 vs. $13,534).
• University of South Carolina Columbia is 17.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Aiken (about $1,928 more per year; $12,688.00 vs. $10,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.5% higher at UofSC than at University of South Carolina Aiken (about $14,754 more per year; $35,972.00 vs. $21,218.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Aiken than at University of South Carolina Columbia (93% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students is 24.7% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($8,904 vs. $7,139).

USC Aiken vs. UofSC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Columbia (1270) is 170 points higher than at USC Aiken (1100).
• Incoming UofSC students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 22 at USC Aiken).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Aiken 980/1220; University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Aiken 19/26; University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USC Aiken - Required; UofSC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027; UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UofSC students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at USC Aiken (3.19).
• USC Aiken has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than UofSC (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.2% at USC Aiken vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

USC Aiken vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USC Aiken and UofSC? 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 Columbia's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than University of South Carolina Aiken's (41%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of about $12,100 more per year than USC Aiken graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $39,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Columbia graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than USC Aiken graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UofSC graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC Aiken graduates ($240 vs. $268).
• More UofSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC Aiken students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.