University of South Carolina-Upstate vs. Tusculum University

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Upstate is larger than Tusculum University based on total student enrollment (4,916 students vs. 1,103 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Carolina Upstate is located in Spartanburg, SC (Midsize Suburban setting); Tusculum University is in Greeneville, TN (Distant Town setting).
• University of South Carolina Upstate is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tusculum University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Carolina Upstate 15:1; Tusculum University 18:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, University of South Carolina-Upstate or Tusculum 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 Tusculum University ($13,999 vs. $20,355).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Upstate are 4.2% lower than at Tusculum University ($10,533 vs. $11,000).
• Tusculum University is 152.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of South Carolina-Upstate (about $17,662 more per year; $29,250.00 vs. $11,588.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.7% higher at Tusculum University than at University of South Carolina Upstate (about $6,160 more per year; $29,250.00 vs. $23,090.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Upstate than at Tusculum University (97% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tusculum University students is 121.7% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Upstate students ($23,759 vs. $10,719).

University of South Carolina-Upstate vs. Tusculum University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Upstate (1090) is 80 points higher than at Tusculum University (1010).
• Incoming University of South Carolina-Upstate students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 19 at Tusculum University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Upstate 1005/1175; Tusculum University 910/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Upstate 21/26; Tusculum University 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of South Carolina-Upstate - Test optional; Tusculum University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Tusculum University students have a 0.65 point higher average high school GPA (3.18) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53).
• Tusculum University has a higher acceptance rate (72.2%) 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. 16.4% at Tusculum University.

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

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

• University of South Carolina Upstate's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Tusculum University's (38%).
• Graduates from Tusculum University earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,900 vs. $39,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Upstate graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Tusculum University graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tusculum University graduates ($232 vs. $279).
• More University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tusculum University students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 52%)

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.