UC vs. UofSC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Cincinnati Main Campus in Cincinnati, OH with University of South Carolina Columbia in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than UofSC based on total student enrollment (45,026 students vs. 38,532 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is located in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting); University of South Carolina Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• University of Cincinnati Main Campus 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: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

UC vs. UofSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC 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 University of South Carolina Columbia than UC ($24,488 vs. $24,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Columbia are 0.2% lower than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus ($13,534 vs. $13,564).
• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is 10.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UofSC (about $1,288 more per year; $13,976.00 vs. $12,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.7% higher at UofSC than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (about $6,662 more per year; $35,972.00 vs. $29,310.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Columbia than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (91% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students is 14.8% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($8,196 vs. $7,139).

UC vs. UofSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC 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 UC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (1270) is the same as at UofSC (1270).
• Incoming UofSC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at UC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370; University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29; University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC - Test optional; UofSC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Mar 1, 2027; UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC students have the same average high school GPA (3.69) as students at UofSC (3.69).
• UC has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than UofSC (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at UC vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

UC vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC 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 University of Cincinnati Main Campus's (59%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than UC graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than UofSC graduates ($23,000 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, UC graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UofSC graduates ($237 vs. $240).
• More UofSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 57%)

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.