Lander University vs. UofSC

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

Lander University
University of South Carolina Columbia

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: UofSC (60.2% admitted vs 81.3%). Typical SAT 1270 vs 1060.
  • Cheaper after aid: Lander University. Average net price is $15,520 vs $24,488 at UofSC.
  • Graduation: Lander University 37% vs UofSC 70%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Lander University $37,000 vs UofSC $51,700 (median).
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Key differences

Lander University University of South Carolina Columbia
Acceptance rate
UofSC more selective
Lander University81.3%
UofSC60.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
UofSC higher
Lander University950-1178
UofSC1180-1360
Average net price
Lander University $8,968 less
Lander University$15,520
UofSC$24,488
In-state tuition
Lander University $988 less
Lander University$11,700
UofSC$12,688
Out-of-state tuition
Lander University $14,672 less
Lander University$21,300
UofSC$35,972
Graduation rate
UofSC +33 pts
Lander University37%
UofSC70%
Median earnings (10 years)
UofSC +$14,700
Lander University$37,000
UofSC$51,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Lander University 4,565
  • UofSC 52,703
  • Admitted
  • Lander University 3,712
  • UofSC 31,701
  • Acceptance rate
  • Lander University 81.3%
  • UofSC 60.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Lander University 22.7%
  • UofSC 22.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Lander University 1060
  • UofSC 1270
  • Typical ACT score
  • Lander University 19
  • UofSC 29
  • Average high school GPA
  • Lander University 3.66
  • UofSC 3.69
  • Typical high school grades
  • Lander University A-
  • UofSC A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Lander University Very Easy
  • UofSC Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Lander University
  • UofSC Low
  • SAT range
  • Lander University 950-1178
  • UofSC 1180-1360
  • ACT range
  • Lander University 16-23
  • UofSC 26-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Lander University Test optional
  • UofSC Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Lander University
  • UofSC Dec 1, 2026
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Lander University $11,700
  • UofSC $12,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Lander University $21,300
  • UofSC $35,972
  • Room & board
  • Lander University $12,100
  • UofSC $13,534
  • Average net price
  • Lander University $15,520
  • UofSC $24,488
  • Average grant aid
  • Lander University $12,232
  • UofSC $7,139
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Lander University 99%
  • UofSC 91%
  • Graduation rate
  • Lander University 37%
  • UofSC 70%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Lander University $37,000
  • UofSC $51,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Lander University 46%
  • UofSC 69%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Lander University $27,000
  • UofSC $23,250
  • Median loan payment
  • Lander University $279
  • UofSC $240
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Lander University 18:1
  • UofSC 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • Lander University
    • Business (23%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • UofSC
    • Business (35%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Location
  • Lander University Greenwood, SC
  • UofSC Columbia, SC
  • Setting
  • Lander University Distant Town
  • UofSC Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Lander University 4,378
  • UofSC 38,532
  • Type
  • Lander University Public 4 Year
  • UofSC Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Lander University #999
  • UofSC #220

Comparable Facts

Compare Lander University in Greenwood, 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 Lander University based on total student enrollment (38,532 students vs. 4,378 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Lander University is located in Greenwood, SC (Distant Town setting); University of South Carolina Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
  • Lander 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: Lander University 18:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lander University are 10.6% lower than at University of South Carolina Columbia ($12,100 vs. $13,534).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 68.9% higher at UofSC than at Lander University (about $14,672 more per year; $35,972 vs. $21,300).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lander University than at University of South Carolina Columbia (99% vs. 91%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lander University students is 71.3% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($12,232 vs. $7,139).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 10 points higher at UofSC than at Lander University (29 vs. 19, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Lander University and UofSC.
  • Typical fall application deadline: UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
  • Enrolled first-year students at UofSC average a 3.69 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at Lander University (3.66).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.7% at Lander University vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Columbia graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Lander University graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, UofSC graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lander University graduates ($240 vs. $279).
  • More UofSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lander University students, three years after graduation (69% 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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