ISU vs. UofSC

Comparable Facts

Compare Iowa State University in Ames, IA with University of South Carolina Columbia in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Carolina Columbia is larger than ISU based on total student enrollment (38,532 students vs. 30,380 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); University of South Carolina Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

ISU vs. UofSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or UofSC? 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 Iowa State University than UofSC ($17,779 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 20.1% lower than at University of South Carolina Columbia ($10,808 vs. $13,534).
• University of South Carolina Columbia is 17.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $1,901 more per year; $12,688.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.6% higher at UofSC than at Iowa State University (about $7,091 more per year; $35,972.00 vs. $28,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Columbia than at Iowa State University (91% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Iowa State University students is 51.2% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($10,791 vs. $7,139).

ISU vs. UofSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or UofSC? 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 UofSC and ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Columbia (1270) is 30 points higher than at ISU (1240).
• Incoming UofSC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 24 at ISU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 1120/1360; University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); UofSC - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at UofSC (3.69).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than UofSC (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

ISU vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and UofSC? 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 Columbia's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Iowa State University's (68%).
• Graduates from Iowa State University earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than UofSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $51,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Columbia graduates have a $618 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($23,250 vs. $23,868).
• Among borrowers, UofSC graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($240 vs. $246).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UofSC students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 69%)

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.