AU vs. UofSC

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

Anderson University
University of South Carolina Columbia

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: AU (54.7% admitted vs 60.2%). Typical SAT 1190 vs 1270.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $24,434 at AU vs $24,488 at UofSC. AU in-state tuition is about $22,282 more per year.
  • Graduation: AU 48% vs UofSC 70%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: AU $37,500 vs UofSC $51,700 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Anderson University University of South Carolina Columbia
Acceptance rate
AU more selective
AU54.7%
UofSC60.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
UofSC higher
AU1100-1280
UofSC1180-1360
Average net price
About even
AU$24,434
UofSC$24,488
In-state tuition
UofSC $22,282 less
AU$34,970
UofSC$12,688
Out-of-state tuition
AU $1,002 less
AU$34,970
UofSC$35,972
Graduation rate
UofSC +22 pts
AU48%
UofSC70%
Median earnings (10 years)
UofSC +$14,200
AU$37,500
UofSC$51,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at AU and UofSC with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at AU Check my chances at UofSC
  • Applied
  • AU 4,548
  • UofSC 52,703
  • Admitted
  • AU 2,488
  • UofSC 31,701
  • Acceptance rate
  • AU 54.7%
  • UofSC 60.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • AU 32.5%
  • UofSC 22.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • AU 1190
  • UofSC 1270
  • Typical ACT score
  • AU 25
  • UofSC 29
  • Average high school GPA
  • AU 3.72
  • UofSC 3.69
  • Typical high school grades
  • AU A-
  • UofSC A-
  • Admissions standards
  • AU Challenging
  • UofSC Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • AU Low
  • UofSC Low
  • SAT range
  • AU 1100-1280
  • UofSC 1180-1360
  • ACT range
  • AU 22-29
  • UofSC 26-32
  • Submit test scores
  • AU Test optional
  • UofSC Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • AU
  • UofSC Dec 1, 2026
  • Tuition (in state)
  • AU $34,970
  • UofSC $12,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • AU $34,970
  • UofSC $35,972
  • Room & board
  • AU $12,720
  • UofSC $13,534
  • Average net price
  • AU $24,434
  • UofSC $24,488
  • Average grant aid
  • AU $25,969
  • UofSC $7,139
  • % receiving grant aid
  • AU 98%
  • UofSC 91%
  • Graduation rate
  • AU 48%
  • UofSC 70%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • AU $37,500
  • UofSC $51,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • AU 60%
  • UofSC 69%
  • Median student loan debt
  • AU $26,862
  • UofSC $23,250
  • Median loan payment
  • AU $277
  • UofSC $240
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • AU 13:1
  • UofSC 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • AU
    • Education (37%)
    • Business (36%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Psychology (4%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • UofSC
    • Business (35%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Location
  • AU Anderson, SC
  • UofSC Columbia, SC
  • Setting
  • AU Small City
  • UofSC Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • AU 4,710
  • UofSC 38,532
  • Type
  • AU Private 4 Year
  • UofSC Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • AU #662
  • UofSC #220

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Columbia is larger than AU based on total student enrollment (38,532 students vs. 4,710 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Anderson University is located in Anderson, SC (Small City setting); University of South Carolina Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
  • Anderson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Anderson University 13:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Anderson University are 6% lower than at University of South Carolina Columbia ($12,720 vs. $13,534).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.9% higher at UofSC than at Anderson University (about $1,002 more per year; $35,972 vs. $34,970).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Anderson University than at University of South Carolina Columbia (98% vs. 91%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Anderson University students is 263.8% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($25,969 vs. $7,139).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at UofSC than at AU (29 vs. 25, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both AU and UofSC.
  • Typical fall application deadline: UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
  • Enrolled first-year students at AU average a 3.72 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at UofSC (3.69).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 32.5% at AU vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Columbia graduates have a $3,612 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,862).
  • Among borrowers, UofSC graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($240 vs. $277).
  • More UofSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation (69% vs. 60%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Anderson University
University of South Carolina Columbia
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges