PC vs. USC Aiken

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

Presbyterian College
University of South Carolina Aiken

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: PC (68.4% admitted vs 78.5%). Typical SAT 1090 vs 1100.
  • Cheaper after aid: USC Aiken. Average net price is $12,236 vs $20,840 at PC.
  • Graduation: PC 68% vs USC Aiken 41%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: PC $47,700 vs USC Aiken $39,600 (median).
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Key differences

Presbyterian College University of South Carolina Aiken
Acceptance rate
PC more selective
PC68.4%
USC Aiken78.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
USC Aiken higher
PC980-1200
USC Aiken980-1220
Average net price
USC Aiken $8,604 less
PC$20,840
USC Aiken$12,236
In-state tuition
USC Aiken $34,150 less
PC$44,910
USC Aiken$10,760
Out-of-state tuition
USC Aiken $23,692 less
PC$44,910
USC Aiken$21,218
Graduation rate
PC +27 pts
PC68%
USC Aiken41%
Median earnings (10 years)
PC +$8,100
PC$47,700
USC Aiken$39,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • PC 3,297
  • USC Aiken 3,005
  • Admitted
  • PC 2,254
  • USC Aiken 2,360
  • Acceptance rate
  • PC 68.4%
  • USC Aiken 78.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • PC 11.6%
  • USC Aiken 28.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • PC 1090
  • USC Aiken 1100
  • Typical ACT score
  • PC 23
  • USC Aiken 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • PC 3.6
  • USC Aiken 3.19
  • Typical high school grades
  • PC A-
  • USC Aiken B+
  • Admissions standards
  • PC Moderate
  • USC Aiken Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • PC Low
  • USC Aiken
  • SAT range
  • PC 980-1200
  • USC Aiken 980-1220
  • ACT range
  • PC 21-26
  • USC Aiken 19-26
  • Submit test scores
  • PC Test optional
  • USC Aiken Required
  • Application deadline
  • PC Sep 21, 2026
  • USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • PC $44,910
  • USC Aiken $10,760
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • PC $44,910
  • USC Aiken $21,218
  • Room & board
  • PC $13,579
  • USC Aiken $9,182
  • Average net price
  • PC $20,840
  • USC Aiken $12,236
  • Average grant aid
  • PC $39,345
  • USC Aiken $8,904
  • % receiving grant aid
  • PC 100%
  • USC Aiken 93%
  • Graduation rate
  • PC 68%
  • USC Aiken 41%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • PC $47,700
  • USC Aiken $39,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • PC 75%
  • USC Aiken 54%
  • Median student loan debt
  • PC $26,108
  • USC Aiken $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • PC $269
  • USC Aiken $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • PC 11:1
  • USC Aiken 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • PC
    • Business (26%)
    • History (16%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • USC Aiken
    • Business (25%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Health Professions (12%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Location
  • PC Clinton, SC
  • USC Aiken Aiken, SC
  • Setting
  • PC Distant Town
  • USC Aiken Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • PC 1,095
  • USC Aiken 4,022
  • Type
  • PC Private 4 Year
  • USC Aiken Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • PC #430
  • USC Aiken #819

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Aiken is larger than PC based on total student enrollment (4,022 students vs. 1,095 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Presbyterian College is located in Clinton, SC (Distant Town setting); University of South Carolina Aiken is in Aiken, SC (Rural Fringe setting).
  • Presbyterian College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Aiken is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Presbyterian College 11:1; 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 32.4% lower than at Presbyterian College ($9,182 vs. $13,579).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 111.7% higher at PC than at University of South Carolina Aiken (about $23,692 more per year; $44,910 vs. $21,218).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Presbyterian College than at University of South Carolina Aiken (100% vs. 93%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Presbyterian College students is 341.9% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students ($39,345 vs. $8,904).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at PC than at USC Aiken (23 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at PC, required at USC Aiken.
  • Typical fall application deadline: PC Sep 21, 2026; USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at PC average a 3.6 high school GPA, 0.41 higher than at USC Aiken (3.19).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at PC vs. 28.2% at USC Aiken.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Aiken graduates have a $108 lower median loan debt than PC graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,108).
  • Among borrowers, USC Aiken graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PC graduates ($268 vs. $269).
  • More PC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC Aiken students, three years after graduation (75% vs. 54%).

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

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