UofSC vs. Tennessee Tech

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Columbia is larger than Tennessee Tech based on total student enrollment (38,532 students vs. 10,511 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Carolina Columbia is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); Tennessee Technological University is in Cookeville, TN (Remote Town setting).
• University of South Carolina Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee Technological University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1; Tennessee Technological University 16:1.

UofSC vs. Tennessee Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UofSC or Tennessee Tech? 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 Tennessee Technological University than UofSC ($15,336 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee Technological University are 1.7% lower than at University of South Carolina Columbia ($13,302 vs. $13,534).
• University of South Carolina Columbia is 11.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee Tech (about $1,312 more per year; $12,688.00 vs. $11,376.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 130.9% higher at UofSC than at Tennessee Technological University (about $20,396 more per year; $35,972.00 vs. $15,576.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tennessee Technological University than at University of South Carolina Columbia (95% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tennessee Technological University students is 46.5% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($10,458 vs. $7,139).

UofSC vs. Tennessee Tech Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Columbia (1270) is 90 points higher than at Tennessee Tech (1180).
• Incoming UofSC students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 23 at Tennessee Tech).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360; Tennessee Technological University 1048/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32; Tennessee Technological University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UofSC - Test optional; Tennessee Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UofSC Dec 1, 2026; Tennessee Tech Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UofSC students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Tennessee Tech (3.63).
• Tennessee Tech has a higher acceptance rate (76.1%) than UofSC (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.9% at UofSC vs. 22.8% at Tennessee Tech.

UofSC vs. Tennessee Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UofSC and Tennessee Tech? 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 Tennessee Technological University's (50%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than Tennessee Tech graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tennessee Technological University graduates have a $7,250 lower median loan debt than UofSC graduates ($16,000 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee Tech graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UofSC graduates ($165 vs. $240).
• More UofSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee Tech students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 61%)

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.