AU vs. USC Aiken

Anderson University and University of South Carolina Aiken side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Anderson University
University of South Carolina Aiken

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: AU (54.7% admitted vs 78.5%). Typical SAT 1190 vs 1100.
  • Cheaper after aid: USC Aiken. Average net price is $12,236 vs $24,434 at AU.
  • Graduation: AU 48% vs USC Aiken 41%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: AU $37,500 vs USC Aiken $39,600 (median).
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Key differences

Anderson University University of South Carolina Aiken
Acceptance rate
AU more selective
AU54.7%
USC Aiken78.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
AU higher
AU1100-1280
USC Aiken980-1220
Average net price
USC Aiken $12,198 less
AU$24,434
USC Aiken$12,236
In-state tuition
USC Aiken $24,210 less
AU$34,970
USC Aiken$10,760
Out-of-state tuition
USC Aiken $13,752 less
AU$34,970
USC Aiken$21,218
Graduation rate
AU +7 pts
AU48%
USC Aiken41%
Median earnings (10 years)
USC Aiken +$2,100
AU$37,500
USC Aiken$39,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • AU 4,548
  • USC Aiken 3,005
  • Admitted
  • AU 2,488
  • USC Aiken 2,360
  • Acceptance rate
  • AU 54.7%
  • USC Aiken 78.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • AU 32.5%
  • USC Aiken 28.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • AU 1190
  • USC Aiken 1100
  • Typical ACT score
  • AU 25
  • USC Aiken 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • AU 3.72
  • USC Aiken 3.19
  • Typical high school grades
  • AU A-
  • USC Aiken B+
  • Admissions standards
  • AU Challenging
  • USC Aiken Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • AU Low
  • USC Aiken
  • SAT range
  • AU 1100-1280
  • USC Aiken 980-1220
  • ACT range
  • AU 22-29
  • USC Aiken 19-26
  • Submit test scores
  • AU Test optional
  • USC Aiken Required
  • Application deadline
  • AU
  • USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • AU $34,970
  • USC Aiken $10,760
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • AU $34,970
  • USC Aiken $21,218
  • Room & board
  • AU $12,720
  • USC Aiken $9,182
  • Average net price
  • AU $24,434
  • USC Aiken $12,236
  • Average grant aid
  • AU $25,969
  • USC Aiken $8,904
  • % receiving grant aid
  • AU 98%
  • USC Aiken 93%
  • Graduation rate
  • AU 48%
  • USC Aiken 41%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • AU $37,500
  • USC Aiken $39,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • AU 60%
  • USC Aiken 54%
  • Median student loan debt
  • AU $26,862
  • USC Aiken $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • AU $277
  • USC Aiken $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • AU 13:1
  • USC Aiken 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • AU
    • Education (37%)
    • Business (36%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Psychology (4%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • USC Aiken
    • Business (25%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Health Professions (12%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Location
  • AU Anderson, SC
  • USC Aiken Aiken, SC
  • Setting
  • AU Small City
  • USC Aiken Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • AU 4,710
  • USC Aiken 4,022
  • Type
  • AU Private 4 Year
  • USC Aiken Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • AU #662
  • USC Aiken #819

Comparable Facts

Compare Anderson University in Anderson, SC with University of South Carolina Aiken in Aiken, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Anderson University is larger than USC Aiken based on total student enrollment (4,710 students vs. 4,022 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Anderson University is located in Anderson, SC (Small City setting); University of South Carolina Aiken is in Aiken, SC (Rural Fringe setting).
  • Anderson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Aiken is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Anderson University 13:1; University of South Carolina Aiken 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 27.8% lower than at Anderson University ($9,182 vs. $12,720).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 64.8% higher at AU than at University of South Carolina Aiken (about $13,752 more per year; $34,970 vs. $21,218).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Anderson University than at University of South Carolina Aiken (98% vs. 93%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Anderson University students is 191.7% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students ($25,969 vs. $8,904).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at AU than at USC Aiken (25 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at AU, required at USC Aiken.
  • Typical fall application deadline: USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at AU average a 3.72 high school GPA, 0.53 higher than at USC Aiken (3.19).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 32.5% at AU vs. 28.2% at USC Aiken.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Aiken graduates have a $862 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,862).
  • Among borrowers, USC Aiken graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($268 vs. $277).
  • More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC Aiken students, three years after graduation (60% vs. 54%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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