UofSC vs. Utah

Comparable Facts

Compare University of South Carolina Columbia in Columbia, SC with University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Carolina Columbia is larger than Utah based on total student enrollment (38,532 students vs. 36,894 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Carolina Columbia is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); University of Utah is in Salt Lake City, UT (Midsize City setting).
• University of South Carolina Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Utah is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1; University of Utah 19:1.

UofSC vs. Utah Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UofSC or Utah? 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 Utah than UofSC ($16,583 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Utah are 1.6% lower than at University of South Carolina Columbia ($13,315 vs. $13,534).
• University of South Carolina Columbia is 31.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Utah (about $3,068 more per year; $12,688.00 vs. $9,620.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.6% higher at UofSC than at University of Utah (about $5,112 more per year; $35,972.00 vs. $30,860.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Columbia than at University of Utah (91% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Utah students is 78.5% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($12,744 vs. $7,139).

UofSC vs. Utah Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Utah (1290) is 20 points higher than at UofSC (1270).
• Incoming UofSC students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at Utah).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360; University of Utah 1190/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32; University of Utah 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UofSC - Test optional; Utah - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UofSC Dec 1, 2026; Utah Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UofSC students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Utah (3.64).
• Utah has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than UofSC (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.9% at UofSC vs. 26% at Utah.

UofSC vs. Utah Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UofSC and Utah? 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 Utah's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Utah earn a median of about $9,600 more per year than UofSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,300 vs. $51,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Utah graduates have a $8,250 lower median loan debt than UofSC graduates ($15,000 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Utah graduates have an estimated $85 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UofSC graduates ($155 vs. $240).
• More Utah graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UofSC students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.