Lander University vs. USC Aiken

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

Lander University
University of South Carolina Aiken

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: USC Aiken (78.5% admitted vs 81.3%). Typical SAT 1100 vs 1060.
  • Cheaper after aid: USC Aiken. Average net price is $12,236 vs $15,520 at Lander University.
  • Graduation: Lander University 37% vs USC Aiken 41%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Lander University $37,000 vs USC Aiken $39,600 (median).
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Key differences

Lander University University of South Carolina Aiken
Acceptance rate
USC Aiken more selective
Lander University81.3%
USC Aiken78.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
USC Aiken higher
Lander University950-1178
USC Aiken980-1220
Average net price
USC Aiken $3,284 less
Lander University$15,520
USC Aiken$12,236
In-state tuition
USC Aiken $940 less
Lander University$11,700
USC Aiken$10,760
Out-of-state tuition
USC Aiken $82 less
Lander University$21,300
USC Aiken$21,218
Graduation rate
USC Aiken +4 pts
Lander University37%
USC Aiken41%
Median earnings (10 years)
USC Aiken +$2,600
Lander University$37,000
USC Aiken$39,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Lander University 4,565
  • USC Aiken 3,005
  • Admitted
  • Lander University 3,712
  • USC Aiken 2,360
  • Acceptance rate
  • Lander University 81.3%
  • USC Aiken 78.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Lander University 22.7%
  • USC Aiken 28.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Lander University 1060
  • USC Aiken 1100
  • Typical ACT score
  • Lander University 19
  • USC Aiken 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • Lander University 3.66
  • USC Aiken 3.19
  • Typical high school grades
  • Lander University A-
  • USC Aiken B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Lander University Very Easy
  • USC Aiken Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Lander University
  • USC Aiken
  • SAT range
  • Lander University 950-1178
  • USC Aiken 980-1220
  • ACT range
  • Lander University 16-23
  • USC Aiken 19-26
  • Submit test scores
  • Lander University Test optional
  • USC Aiken Required
  • Application deadline
  • Lander University
  • USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Lander University $11,700
  • USC Aiken $10,760
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Lander University $21,300
  • USC Aiken $21,218
  • Room & board
  • Lander University $12,100
  • USC Aiken $9,182
  • Average net price
  • Lander University $15,520
  • USC Aiken $12,236
  • Average grant aid
  • Lander University $12,232
  • USC Aiken $8,904
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Lander University 99%
  • USC Aiken 93%
  • Graduation rate
  • Lander University 37%
  • USC Aiken 41%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Lander University $37,000
  • USC Aiken $39,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Lander University 46%
  • USC Aiken 54%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Lander University $27,000
  • USC Aiken $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Lander University $279
  • USC Aiken $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Lander University 18:1
  • USC Aiken 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Lander University
    • Business (23%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • USC Aiken
    • Business (25%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Health Professions (12%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Location
  • Lander University Greenwood, SC
  • USC Aiken Aiken, SC
  • Setting
  • Lander University Distant Town
  • USC Aiken Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Lander University 4,378
  • USC Aiken 4,022
  • Type
  • Lander University Public 4 Year
  • USC Aiken Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Lander University #999
  • USC Aiken #819

Comparable Facts

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

Lander University is larger than USC Aiken based on total student enrollment (4,378 students vs. 4,022 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Lander University is located in Greenwood, SC (Distant Town setting); University of South Carolina Aiken is in Aiken, SC (Rural Fringe setting).
  • Lander University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Aiken is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Lander University 18:1; 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 24.1% lower than at Lander University ($9,182 vs. $12,100).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.4% higher at Lander University than at University of South Carolina Aiken (about $82 more per year; $21,300 vs. $21,218).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lander University than at University of South Carolina Aiken (99% vs. 93%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lander University students is 37.4% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students ($12,232 vs. $8,904).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at USC Aiken than at Lander University (22 vs. 19, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Lander University, required at USC Aiken.
  • Typical fall application deadline: USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Lander University average a 3.66 high school GPA, 0.47 higher than at USC Aiken (3.19).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.7% at Lander University vs. 28.2% at USC Aiken.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Aiken graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Lander University graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, USC Aiken graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lander University graduates ($268 vs. $279).
  • More USC Aiken graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lander University students, three years after graduation (54% vs. 46%).

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

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