University of South Carolina-Lancaster vs. SMC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of South Carolina Lancaster in Lancaster, SC with Spartanburg Methodist College in Spartanburg, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Carolina Lancaster is larger than SMC based on total student enrollment (2,687 students vs. 1,119 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Carolina Lancaster is located in Lancaster, SC (Distant Town setting); Spartanburg Methodist College is in Spartanburg, SC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• University of South Carolina Lancaster is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Spartanburg Methodist College is a private, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Carolina Lancaster 24:1; Spartanburg Methodist College 16:1.

University of South Carolina-Lancaster vs. SMC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of South Carolina-Lancaster or SMC? 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 South Carolina Lancaster than SMC ($11,257 vs. $14,799).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Lancaster are 39.9% lower than at Spartanburg Methodist College ($6,708 vs. $11,160).
• Spartanburg Methodist College is 173.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of South Carolina-Lancaster (about $13,092 more per year; $20,650.00 vs. $7,558.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.2% higher at SMC than at University of South Carolina Lancaster (about $2,412 more per year; $20,650.00 vs. $18,238.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spartanburg Methodist College than at University of South Carolina Lancaster (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spartanburg Methodist College students is 139.3% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Lancaster students ($17,334 vs. $7,245).

University of South Carolina-Lancaster vs. SMC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of South Carolina-Lancaster or SMC? 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 SMC and University of South Carolina-Lancaster.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Lancaster 910/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Lancaster 16/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of South Carolina-Lancaster - Test-free; SMC - Test-free.
• University of South Carolina-Lancaster has a higher acceptance rate (83.4%) than SMC (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 66.2% at University of South Carolina-Lancaster vs. 28% at SMC.

University of South Carolina-Lancaster vs. SMC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of South Carolina-Lancaster and SMC? 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).

• Graduates from University of South Carolina Lancaster earn a median of about $17,300 more per year than SMC graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $34,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spartanburg Methodist College graduates have a $11,250 lower median loan debt than University of South Carolina-Lancaster graduates ($12,000 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, SMC graduates have an estimated $116 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of South Carolina-Lancaster graduates ($124 vs. $240).
• More University of South Carolina-Lancaster graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMC students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 46%)

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.