University of South Carolina-Upstate vs. Johnson University

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

Overview

University of South Carolina-Upstate Johnson University
Location Spartanburg, SC Knoxville, TN
Setting Midsize Suburban Rural Fringe
Enrollment 4,946 950
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #776
Religious Affiliation - Christian Churches and Churches of Christ - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uscupstate.edu johnsonu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of South Carolina-Upstate Johnson University
Tuition (In State) $11,208 $18,428
Tuition (Out of State) $22,170 $18,428
Room & Board $10,040 $9,278
Avg Net Price $13,794 $20,713
Avg Grant Aid $10,414 $9,797
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 94%

Admission

University of South Carolina-Upstate Johnson University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,557 610
Admitted 2,476 328
Acceptance Rate 69.6% 53.8%
Enrolled % 27.2% 55.2%
Avg High School GPA 2.53 3.52
Typical High School Grades C+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 19/25 19/24
SAT Range 1000/1170 890/1090
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026

Academics

University of South Carolina-Upstate Johnson University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (26%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (86%)
  • Education (14%)

Outcomes

University of South Carolina-Upstate Johnson University
Graduation Rate 39% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,300 $31,100
Making Student Loan Payments 55% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $21,380
Median Loan Payment $232 $221

Diversity

University of South Carolina-Upstate Johnson University
% Men 2% 13%
% Women 8% 12%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 56% 87%
% Black 29% 3%
% Hispanic 5% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 1%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

University of South Carolina-Upstate Johnson University
% In-State 89% 59%
% Out-of-State 8% 34%

Campus

University of South Carolina-Upstate Johnson 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

  • University of South Carolina Upstate is larger than than Johnson University based on total student enrollment (4,946 students vs. 950 students)

University of South Carolina-Upstate vs. Johnson University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of South Carolina-Upstate or Johnson University?

  • Johnson University is 64.4% more expensive to attend than University of South Carolina-Upstate for in-state tuition ($18,428.00 vs. $11,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 20.3% higher at University of South Carolina-Upstate than Johnson University ($22,170.00 vs. $18,428.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Carolina Upstate than Johnson University ($13,794 vs. $20,713)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Johnson University are 8.2% lower than costs at University of South Carolina Upstate ($9,278 vs. $10,040)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of South Carolina Upstate than Johnson University (97% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Carolina Upstate students is 6.3% larger than aid received Johnson University ($10,414 vs. $9,797)

University of South Carolina-Upstate vs. Johnson University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Johnson University (1035) is 85 points higher than at University of South Carolina-Upstate (950)
  • Incoming Johnson University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (20)
  • Accepted freshman Johnson University students have a 0.99 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53)
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate has a higher acceptance rate (69.6%) than Johnson University (53.8%)

University of South Carolina-Upstate vs. Johnson University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of South Carolina-Upstate or Johnson 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 Johnson University and University of South Carolina-Upstate.

  • The graduation rate at Johnson University is higher than University of South Carolina Upstate (54% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from University of South Carolina Upstate earn on average $8,200 more per year than Johnson University graduates after ten years. ($39,300 vs. $31,100)
  • Johnson University students graduate with a $1,120 lower median federal student loan debt than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates. ($21,380 vs. $22,500)
  • Johnson University graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates. ($221 vs. $232)
  • More Johnson University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Carolina-Upstate students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 55%)

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