WestConn vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Upstate is larger than WestConn based on total student enrollment (4,916 students vs. 4,169 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Connecticut State University is located in Danbury, CT (Small City setting); University of South Carolina Upstate is in Spartanburg, SC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Western Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Upstate is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Connecticut State University 11:1; University of South Carolina Upstate 15:1.

WestConn vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 WestConn ($13,999 vs. $17,185).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Upstate are 32.7% lower than at Western Connecticut State University ($10,533 vs. $15,659).
• Western Connecticut State University is 15.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of South Carolina-Upstate (about $1,813 more per year; $13,401.00 vs. $11,588.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.6% higher at University of South Carolina-Upstate than at Western Connecticut State University (about $6,189 more per year; $23,090.00 vs. $16,901.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Upstate than at Western Connecticut State University (97% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Connecticut State University students is 20.1% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Upstate students ($12,870 vs. $10,719).

WestConn vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Connecticut State University (1110) is 20 points higher than at University of South Carolina-Upstate (1090).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Connecticut State University 1040/1170; University of South Carolina Upstate 1005/1175.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of South Carolina Upstate 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WestConn - Test optional; University of South Carolina-Upstate - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WestConn students have a 0.85 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53).
• WestConn has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than University of South Carolina-Upstate (67.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at WestConn vs. 24% at University of South Carolina-Upstate.

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

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

• Western Connecticut State University's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than University of South Carolina Upstate's (39%).
• Graduates from Western Connecticut State University earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $39,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Upstate graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than WestConn graduates ($22,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WestConn graduates ($232 vs. $258).
• More WestConn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Carolina-Upstate students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.