University of South Carolina-Upstate vs. The University of Tennessee Southern

Comparable Facts

Compare University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg, SC with The University of Tennessee Southern in Pulaski, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Carolina Upstate is larger than The University of Tennessee Southern based on total student enrollment (4,916 students vs. 1,046 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Carolina Upstate is located in Spartanburg, SC (Midsize Suburban setting); The University of Tennessee Southern is in Pulaski, TN (Distant Town setting).
• University of South Carolina Upstate is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Southern is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Carolina Upstate 15:1; The University of Tennessee Southern 14:1.

University of South Carolina-Upstate vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of South Carolina-Upstate or The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 The University of Tennessee Southern ($13,999 vs. $14,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Southern are 21.2% lower than at University of South Carolina Upstate ($8,300 vs. $10,533).
• University of South Carolina Upstate is 6.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than The University of Tennessee Southern (about $664 more per year; $11,588.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 111.4% higher at University of South Carolina-Upstate than at The University of Tennessee Southern (about $12,166 more per year; $23,090.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Southern than at University of South Carolina Upstate (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Carolina Upstate students is 3.5% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Southern students ($10,719 vs. $10,358).

University of South Carolina-Upstate vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Admissions comparison

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

• The University of Tennessee Southern reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Upstate (1090) is 80 points higher than at The University of Tennessee Southern (1010).
• Incoming University of South Carolina-Upstate students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at The University of Tennessee Southern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Upstate 1005/1175; The University of Tennessee Southern 905/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Upstate 21/26; The University of Tennessee Southern 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of South Carolina-Upstate - Test optional; The University of Tennessee Southern - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: The University of Tennessee Southern Aug 26, 2027.
• Accepted freshman The University of Tennessee Southern students have a 0.64 point higher average high school GPA (3.17) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53).
• The University of Tennessee Southern has a higher acceptance rate (86.7%) 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. 26.1% at The University of Tennessee Southern.

University of South Carolina-Upstate vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of South Carolina-Upstate and The University of Tennessee Southern? 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).

• The University of Tennessee Southern's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than University of South Carolina Upstate's (39%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,300 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have a $185 lower median loan debt than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates ($22,315 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates ($230 vs. $232).
• More University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The University of Tennessee Southern students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 43%)

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.