UofSC vs. VCU

Should I go to University of South Carolina Columbia or Virginia Commonwealth University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if UofSC or VCU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Clemson JMU Georgia Mason CofC Virginia Tech NC State Auburn Florida State Mary Washington College Tennessee Penn State
University of South Carolina Columbia vs. Virginia Commonwealth University comparison
University of South Carolina Columbia Virginia Commonwealth University College 3 College 4
University of South Carolina Columbia Virginia Commonwealth University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

UofSC VCU
Location Columbia, SC Richmond, VA
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 35,653 28,082
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #208 #442
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sc.edu vcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

UofSC VCU
Tuition (In State) $12,288 $12,458
Tuition (Out of State) $33,528 $33,726
Room & Board $11,780 $12,279
Avg Net Price $22,427 $21,294
Avg Grant Aid $6,880 $12,583
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 83%

Admission

UofSC VCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 42,188 18,242
Admitted 27,022 16,600
Acceptance Rate 64.1% 91%
Enrolled % 24.3% 25.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.69 3.75
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Very High Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 27/32 22/30
SAT Range 1180/1380 1030/1290
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Dec 1, 2024 Jan 18, 2025

Academics

UofSC VCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (35%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)

Outcomes

UofSC VCU
Graduation Rate 70% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $51,700 $47,500
Making Student Loan Payments 69% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,250 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $240 $240

Diversity

UofSC VCU
% Men 42% 36%
% Women 58% 64%
Racial Diversity Low Very High
HBCU No No
% White 77% 50%
% Black 10% 18%
% Hispanic 4% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 6%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

UofSC VCU
% In-State 52% 92%
% Out-of-State 47% 6%

Campus

UofSC VCU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of South Carolina Columbia is larger than than VCU based on total student enrollment (35,653 students vs. 28,082 students)

UofSC vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UofSC or VCU?

  • Virginia Commonwealth University is 1.4% more expensive to attend than UofSC for in-state tuition ($12,458.00 vs. $12,288.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 0.6% higher at VCU than University of South Carolina Columbia ($33,726.00 vs. $33,528.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Virginia Commonwealth University than UofSC ($21,294 vs. $22,427)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Columbia are 4.2% lower than costs at Virginia Commonwealth University ($11,780 vs. $12,279)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of South Carolina Columbia than Virginia Commonwealth University (98% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 82.9% larger than aid received University of South Carolina Columbia ($12,583 vs. $6,880)

UofSC vs. VCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UofSC or VCU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between VCU or UofSC .

  • The average SAT score at University of South Carolina Columbia (1220) is 123 points higher than at VCU (1097)
  • Incoming UofSC students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at VCU (24)
  • Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at UofSC (3.69)
  • VCU has a higher acceptance rate (91%) than UofSC (64.1%)

UofSC vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, UofSC or VCU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between VCU and UofSC.

  • The graduation rate at UofSC is higher than Virginia Commonwealth University (70% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from University of South Carolina Columbia earn on average $4,200 more per year than VCU graduates after ten years. ($51,700 vs. $47,500)
  • Virginia Commonwealth University and UofSC graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($23,250 vs. $23,250)
  • Virginia Commonwealth University and UofSC graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($240 vs. $240)
  • More UofSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 56%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/