UofSC vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Tennessee Knoxville is larger than UofSC based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 38,532 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Carolina Columbia is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• University of South Carolina Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Knoxville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

UofSC vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UofSC or Tennessee? 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 The University of Tennessee Knoxville than UofSC ($21,648 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville are 1.3% lower than at University of South Carolina Columbia ($13,356 vs. $13,534).
• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is 8.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UofSC (about $1,124 more per year; $13,812.00 vs. $12,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.2% higher at UofSC than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (about $2,716 more per year; $35,972.00 vs. $33,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Knoxville than at University of South Carolina Columbia (94% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students is 60.2% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($11,434 vs. $7,139).

UofSC vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (1290) is 20 points higher than at UofSC (1270).
• Incoming UofSC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at Tennessee).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UofSC - Test optional; Tennessee - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UofSC students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Tennessee (3.66).
• UofSC has a higher acceptance rate (60.2%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.9% at UofSC vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

UofSC vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UofSC and Tennessee? 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 The University of Tennessee Knoxville's (63%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Knoxville earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than UofSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $51,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $3,250 lower median loan debt than UofSC graduates ($20,000 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UofSC graduates ($206 vs. $240).
• More UofSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.