UofSC vs. William & Mary

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Columbia is larger than William & Mary based on total student enrollment (38,532 students vs. 9,818 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Carolina Columbia is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); William & Mary is in Williamsburg, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of South Carolina Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. William & Mary is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1; William & Mary 12:1.

UofSC vs. William & Mary Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UofSC or William & Mary? 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 William & Mary than UofSC ($19,686 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Columbia are 16.4% lower than at William & Mary ($13,534 vs. $16,182).
• William & Mary is 104.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UofSC (about $13,226 more per year; $25,914.00 vs. $12,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.9% higher at William & Mary than at University of South Carolina Columbia (about $15,066 more per year; $51,038.00 vs. $35,972.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Columbia than at William & Mary (91% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William & Mary students is 224.2% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($23,144 vs. $7,139).

UofSC vs. William & Mary Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UofSC or William & Mary? 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 William & Mary and UofSC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at William & Mary (1470) is 200 points higher than at UofSC (1270).
• Incoming William & Mary students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 29 at UofSC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360; William & Mary 1400/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32; William & Mary 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UofSC - Test optional; William & Mary - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UofSC Dec 1, 2026; William & Mary Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman William & Mary students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at UofSC (3.69).
• UofSC has a higher acceptance rate (60.2%) than William & Mary (34.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.9% at UofSC vs. 26.6% at William & Mary.

UofSC vs. William & Mary Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UofSC and William & Mary? 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).

• William & Mary's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than University of South Carolina Columbia's (70%).
• Graduates from William & Mary earn a median of about $17,000 more per year than UofSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,700 vs. $51,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William & Mary graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than UofSC graduates ($19,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, William & Mary graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UofSC graduates ($201 vs. $240).
• More William & Mary graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UofSC students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 69%)

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.