UofSC vs. UH

Comparable Facts

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

University of Houston is larger than UofSC based on total student enrollment (47,980 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); University of Houston is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• University of South Carolina Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1; University of Houston 22:1.

UofSC vs. UH Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UofSC or UH? 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 Houston than UofSC ($14,309 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston are 16.6% lower than at University of South Carolina Columbia ($11,286 vs. $13,534).
• University of South Carolina Columbia is 30.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UH (about $2,971 more per year; $12,688.00 vs. $9,717.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.5% higher at UofSC than at University of Houston (about $13,425 more per year; $35,972.00 vs. $22,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Columbia than at University of Houston (91% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston students is 70.3% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($12,159 vs. $7,139).

UofSC vs. UH Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Columbia (1270) is 20 points higher than at UH (1250).
• Incoming UofSC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at UH).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360; University of Houston 1160/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32; University of Houston 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UofSC - Test optional; UH - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UofSC Dec 1, 2026; UH May 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UofSC students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at UH (3.46).
• UH has a higher acceptance rate (73.9%) than UofSC (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.9% at UofSC vs. 26.5% at UH.

UofSC vs. UH Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UofSC and UH? 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 University of Houston's (46%).
• Graduates from University of Houston earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than UofSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $51,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than UofSC graduates ($19,750 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, UH graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UofSC graduates ($204 vs. $240).
• More UofSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UH 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.