University of South Carolina-Upstate vs. KSU

Deciding between University of South Carolina Upstate and Kennesaw State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate Spartanburg, SC
  • KSU Kennesaw, GA
  • Setting
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate Midsize Suburban
  • KSU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate 4,916
  • KSU 47,764
  • Type
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate Public 4 Year
  • KSU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate #696
  • KSU
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate -
  • KSU -
  • Status
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate Non-profit
  • KSU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate
  • KSU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate $11,588
  • KSU $5,808
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate $23,090
  • KSU $17,736
  • Room & Board
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate $10,533
  • KSU $13,287
  • Average Net Price
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate $13,999
  • KSU $15,636
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate $10,719
  • KSU $8,223
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate 97%
  • KSU 92%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate 4,682
  • KSU 34,680
  • Admitted
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate 3,149
  • KSU 23,995
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate 67.3%
  • KSU 69.2%
  • Enrolled
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate 24%
  • KSU 38%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate 1090
  • KSU 1110
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate 23
  • KSU 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate 2.53
  • KSU 3.33
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate B-
  • KSU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate Easy
  • KSU Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate Low
  • KSU Low
  • ACT Range
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate 21/26
  • KSU 19/26
  • SAT Range
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate 1005/1175
  • KSU 1000/1220
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate Test optional
  • KSU Required
  • Application Deadline
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate
  • KSU Jun 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate 15:1
  • KSU 23:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate
    • Health Professions (26%)
    • Education (20%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • KSU

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate 39%
  • KSU -
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate $39,300
  • KSU N/A
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate 55%
  • KSU 53%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate $22,500
  • KSU $21,200
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate $232
  • KSU $219

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate 33%
  • KSU 49%
  • % Women
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate 67%
  • KSU 51%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate High
  • KSU High
  • HBCU
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate No
  • KSU No
  • % White
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate 56%
  • KSU 58%
  • % Asian
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate 3%
  • KSU 4%
  • % Black
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate 29%
  • KSU 20%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate 5%
  • KSU 9%
  • % Native American
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate 0%
  • KSU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate 0%
  • KSU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate 4%
  • KSU 4%
  • % International
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate 2%
  • KSU 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate 2%
  • KSU 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate 92%
  • KSU 96%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate 5%
  • KSU 1%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate Yes
  • KSU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate No
  • KSU
  • Meal Plan
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate Yes
  • KSU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate No
  • KSU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate Yes
  • KSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg, SC with Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, GA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Kennesaw State University is larger than University of South Carolina-Upstate based on total student enrollment (47,764 students vs. 4,916 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of South Carolina Upstate is located in Spartanburg, SC (Midsize Suburban setting); Kennesaw State University is in Kennesaw, GA (Large Suburban setting).
  • University of South Carolina Upstate is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kennesaw State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Carolina Upstate 15:1; Kennesaw State University 23:1.

University of South Carolina-Upstate vs. KSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of South Carolina-Upstate or KSU? 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 KSU ($13,999 vs. $15,636).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Upstate are 20.7% lower than at Kennesaw State University ($10,533 vs. $13,287).
  • University of South Carolina Upstate is 99.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than KSU (about $5,780 more per year; $11,588.00 vs. $5,808.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 30.2% higher at University of South Carolina-Upstate than at Kennesaw State University (about $5,354 more per year; $23,090.00 vs. $17,736.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Upstate than at Kennesaw State University (97% vs. 92%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Carolina Upstate students is 30.4% larger than aid received by Kennesaw State University students ($10,719 vs. $8,223).

University of South Carolina-Upstate vs. KSU Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kennesaw State University (1110) is 20 points higher than at University of South Carolina-Upstate (1090).
  • Incoming University of South Carolina-Upstate students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at KSU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Upstate 1005/1175; Kennesaw State University 1000/1220.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Upstate 21/26; Kennesaw State University 19/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of South Carolina-Upstate - Test optional; KSU - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: KSU Jun 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman KSU students have a 0.8 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53).
  • KSU has a higher acceptance rate (69.2%) 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. 38% at KSU.

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

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

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Kennesaw State University graduates have a $1,300 lower median loan debt than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates ($21,200 vs. $22,500).
  • Among borrowers, KSU graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates ($219 vs. $232).
  • More University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KSU students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 53%)

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.