University of South Carolina-Upstate vs. Austin Peay State University

Should I go to University of South Carolina Upstate or Austin Peay State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of South Carolina-Upstate or Austin Peay State University 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
University of South Carolina Upstate vs. Austin Peay State University comparison
University of South Carolina Upstate Austin Peay State University College 3 College 4
Austin Peay State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

University of South Carolina-Upstate Austin Peay State University
Location Spartanburg, SC Clarksville, TN
Setting Midsize Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 4,946 9,945
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #776 #922
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uscupstate.edu apsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of South Carolina-Upstate Austin Peay State University
Tuition (In State) $11,208 $7,008
Tuition (Out of State) $22,170 $12,552
Room & Board $10,040 $13,070
Avg Net Price $13,794 $14,679
Avg Grant Aid $10,414 $11,247
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 94%

Admission

University of South Carolina-Upstate Austin Peay State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,557 5,559
Admitted 2,476 5,334
Acceptance Rate 69.6% 96%
Enrolled % 27.2% 30.8%
Avg High School GPA 2.53 3.3
Typical High School Grades C+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 18/23
SAT Range 1000/1170 943/1165
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 Aug 4, 2026

Academics

University of South Carolina-Upstate Austin Peay State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (26%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

University of South Carolina-Upstate Austin Peay State University
Graduation Rate 39% 34%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,300 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 55% 44%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $232 $232

Diversity

University of South Carolina-Upstate Austin Peay State University
% Men 2% 4%
% Women 8% 9%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 56% 63%
% Black 29% 20%
% Hispanic 5% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 6%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

University of South Carolina-Upstate Austin Peay State University
% In-State 89% 87%
% Out-of-State 8% 12%

Campus

University of South Carolina-Upstate Austin Peay State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Austin Peay State University is larger than than University of South Carolina-Upstate based on total student enrollment (9,945 students vs. 4,946 students)

University of South Carolina-Upstate vs. Austin Peay State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of South Carolina-Upstate or Austin Peay State University?

  • University of South Carolina Upstate is 59.9% more expensive to attend than Austin Peay State University for in-state tuition ($11,208.00 vs. $7,008.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 76.6% higher at University of South Carolina-Upstate than Austin Peay State University ($22,170.00 vs. $12,552.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Carolina Upstate than Austin Peay State University ($13,794 vs. $14,679)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Upstate are 30.2% lower than costs at Austin Peay State University ($10,040 vs. $13,070)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of South Carolina Upstate than Austin Peay State University (97% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Austin Peay State University students is 8% larger than aid received University of South Carolina Upstate ($11,247 vs. $10,414)

University of South Carolina-Upstate vs. Austin Peay State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of South Carolina-Upstate or Austin Peay State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Austin Peay State University or University of South Carolina-Upstate .

  • The average SAT score at Austin Peay State University (1011) is 61 points higher than at University of South Carolina-Upstate (950)
  • Incoming Austin Peay State University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (20)
  • Accepted freshman Austin Peay State University students have a 0.77 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53)
  • Austin Peay State University has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than University of South Carolina-Upstate (69.6%)

University of South Carolina-Upstate vs. Austin Peay State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of South Carolina-Upstate or Austin Peay State University? 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 Austin Peay State University and University of South Carolina-Upstate.

  • The graduation rate at University of South Carolina-Upstate is higher than Austin Peay State University (39% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from University of South Carolina Upstate earn on average $1,900 more per year than Austin Peay State University graduates after ten years. ($39,300 vs. $37,400)
  • Austin Peay State University and University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($22,500 vs. $22,500)
  • Austin Peay State University and University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($232 vs. $232)
  • More University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Austin Peay State University students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 44%)

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