UofSC vs. Sewanee

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Columbia is larger than Sewanee based on total student enrollment (38,532 students vs. 1,724 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Carolina Columbia is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); The University of the South is in Sewanee, TN (Distant Rural setting).
• University of South Carolina Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of the South is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1; The University of the South 9:1.

UofSC vs. Sewanee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UofSC or Sewanee? 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 Columbia than Sewanee ($24,488 vs. $34,815).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Columbia are 15.6% lower than at The University of the South ($13,534 vs. $16,028).
• The University of the South is 342.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UofSC (about $43,432 more per year; $56,120.00 vs. $12,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56% higher at Sewanee than at University of South Carolina Columbia (about $20,148 more per year; $56,120.00 vs. $35,972.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of the South than at University of South Carolina Columbia (98% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of the South students is 420.7% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($37,171 vs. $7,139).

UofSC vs. Sewanee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of the South (1330) is 60 points higher than at UofSC (1270).
• Incoming UofSC students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 29) as students at Sewanee (29).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360; The University of the South 1260/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32; The University of the South 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UofSC - Test optional; Sewanee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UofSC Dec 1, 2026; Sewanee Feb 1, 2027.
• UofSC has a higher acceptance rate (60.2%) than Sewanee (56.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.9% at UofSC vs. 17.9% at Sewanee.

UofSC vs. Sewanee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UofSC and Sewanee? 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).

• The University of the South's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than University of South Carolina Columbia's (70%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Sewanee graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $49,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of the South graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than UofSC graduates ($19,000 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Sewanee graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UofSC graduates ($196 vs. $240).
• More Sewanee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UofSC students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.