University of South Carolina-Upstate vs. Carson-Newman University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg, SC with Carson Newman University in Jefferson City, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Carolina Upstate is larger than Carson-Newman University based on total student enrollment (4,916 students vs. 2,669 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Carolina Upstate is located in Spartanburg, SC (Midsize Suburban setting); Carson Newman University is in Jefferson City, TN (Small Suburban setting).
• University of South Carolina Upstate is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Carson Newman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Carolina Upstate 15:1; Carson Newman University 12:1.

University of South Carolina-Upstate vs. Carson-Newman University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of South Carolina-Upstate or Carson-Newman University? 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 Upstate than Carson-Newman University ($13,999 vs. $20,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Upstate are 10.7% lower than at Carson Newman University ($10,533 vs. $11,800).
• Carson Newman University is 199.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of South Carolina-Upstate (about $23,112 more per year; $34,700.00 vs. $11,588.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.3% higher at Carson-Newman University than at University of South Carolina Upstate (about $11,610 more per year; $34,700.00 vs. $23,090.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carson Newman University than at University of South Carolina Upstate (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carson Newman University students is 162.1% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Upstate students ($28,090 vs. $10,719).

University of South Carolina-Upstate vs. Carson-Newman University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of South Carolina-Upstate or Carson-Newman University? 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 Carson-Newman University and University of South Carolina-Upstate.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Upstate (1090) is the same as at Carson-Newman University (1090).
• Incoming University of South Carolina-Upstate students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Carson-Newman University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Upstate 1005/1175; Carson Newman University 955/1215.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Upstate 21/26; Carson Newman University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of South Carolina-Upstate - Test optional; Carson-Newman University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Carson-Newman University students have a 1.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53).
• Carson-Newman University has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than University of South Carolina-Upstate (67.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24% at University of South Carolina-Upstate vs. 16.8% at Carson-Newman University.

University of South Carolina-Upstate vs. Carson-Newman University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of South Carolina-Upstate and Carson-Newman University? 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).

• Carson Newman University's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than University of South Carolina Upstate's (39%).
• Graduates from Carson Newman University earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,700 vs. $39,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Upstate graduates have a $1,380 lower median loan debt than Carson-Newman University graduates ($22,500 vs. $23,880).
• Among borrowers, University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carson-Newman University graduates ($232 vs. $246).
• More Carson-Newman University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Carolina-Upstate students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 55%)

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.