University of South Carolina-Upstate vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Upstate is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (4,916 students vs. 3,708 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Carolina Upstate is located in Spartanburg, SC (Midsize Suburban setting); Northern State University is in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting).
• University of South Carolina Upstate is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Carolina Upstate 15:1; Northern State University 19:1.

University of South Carolina-Upstate vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of South Carolina-Upstate or NSU? 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 NSU ($13,999 vs. $15,990).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Upstate are 0.6% lower than at Northern State University ($10,533 vs. $10,600).
• University of South Carolina Upstate is 31% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $2,743 more per year; $11,588.00 vs. $8,845.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 93.3% higher at University of South Carolina-Upstate than at Northern State University (about $11,143 more per year; $23,090.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Upstate as at Northern State University (97% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Carolina Upstate students is 66.4% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($10,719 vs. $6,441).

University of South Carolina-Upstate vs. NSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Upstate (1090) is 20 points higher than at NSU (1070).
• Incoming University of South Carolina-Upstate students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Upstate 1005/1175; Northern State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Upstate 21/26; Northern State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of South Carolina-Upstate - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.84 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) 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. 35.2% at NSU.

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

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

• Northern State University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than University of South Carolina Upstate's (39%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,300 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Upstate graduates have a $1,899 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($22,500 vs. $24,399).
• Among borrowers, University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($232 vs. $252).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Carolina-Upstate students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.