JU vs. UofSC

Comparable Facts

Compare Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, FL 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 JU based on total student enrollment (38,532 students vs. 4,247 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Jacksonville University is located in Jacksonville, FL (Large City setting); University of South Carolina Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Jacksonville 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: Jacksonville University 11:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

JU vs. UofSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, JU 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 Jacksonville University than UofSC ($24,238 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Columbia are 21.4% lower than at Jacksonville University ($13,534 vs. $17,210).
• Jacksonville University is 277% more expensive for in-state tuition than UofSC (about $35,142 more per year; $47,830.00 vs. $12,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33% higher at JU than at University of South Carolina Columbia (about $11,858 more per year; $47,830.00 vs. $35,972.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Jacksonville University than at University of South Carolina Columbia (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Jacksonville University students is 458.3% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($39,859 vs. $7,139).

JU vs. UofSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, JU 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 JU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Columbia (1270) is 80 points higher than at JU (1190).
• Incoming UofSC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 24 at JU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Jacksonville University 1100/1280; University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Jacksonville University 22/27; University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: JU - Test optional; UofSC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UofSC students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at JU (3.61).
• UofSC has a higher acceptance rate (60.2%) than JU (56.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.3% at JU vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

JU vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for JU 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 Jacksonville University's (40%).
• Graduates from Jacksonville University earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than UofSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,800 vs. $51,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Jacksonville University graduates have a $629 lower median loan debt than UofSC graduates ($22,621 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, JU graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UofSC graduates ($233 vs. $240).
• More UofSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 54%)

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.