UofSC vs. Old Dominion

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Columbia is larger than Old Dominion based on total student enrollment (38,532 students vs. 23,743 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Carolina Columbia is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); Old Dominion University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
• University of South Carolina Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Old Dominion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1; Old Dominion University 13:1.

UofSC vs. Old Dominion Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UofSC or Old Dominion? 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 Old Dominion University than UofSC ($16,419 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Columbia are 9% lower than at Old Dominion University ($13,534 vs. $14,878).
• Old Dominion University is 0.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UofSC (about $62 more per year; $12,750.00 vs. $12,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.5% higher at UofSC than at Old Dominion University (about $2,192 more per year; $35,972.00 vs. $33,780.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Old Dominion University than at University of South Carolina Columbia (94% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Old Dominion University students is 64.4% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($11,740 vs. $7,139).

UofSC vs. Old Dominion Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UofSC or Old Dominion? 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 Old Dominion and UofSC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Columbia (1270) is 80 points higher than at Old Dominion (1190).
• Incoming UofSC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at Old Dominion).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360; Old Dominion University 1100/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32; Old Dominion University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UofSC - Test optional; Old Dominion - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UofSC Dec 1, 2026; Old Dominion Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UofSC students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Old Dominion (3.3).
• Old Dominion has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than UofSC (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.9% at UofSC vs. 19.9% at Old Dominion.

UofSC vs. Old Dominion Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UofSC and Old Dominion? 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 Old Dominion University's (50%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Old Dominion graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $47,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Columbia graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than Old Dominion graduates ($23,250 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, UofSC graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Old Dominion graduates ($240 vs. $242).
• More UofSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Old Dominion students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 53%)

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.