UCCS vs. USC Aiken

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Colorado Springs in Colorado Springs, CO with University of South Carolina Aiken in Aiken, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Colorado Colorado Springs is larger than USC Aiken based on total student enrollment (11,354 students vs. 4,022 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Colorado Springs is located in Colorado Springs, CO (Large City setting); University of South Carolina Aiken is in Aiken, SC (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Colorado Colorado Springs 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: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 15:1; University of South Carolina Aiken 16:1.

UCCS vs. USC Aiken Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCCS or USC Aiken? 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 Aiken than UCCS ($12,236 vs. $16,942).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 28.9% lower than at University of Colorado Colorado Springs ($9,182 vs. $12,918).
• University of South Carolina Aiken is 6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCCS (about $611 more per year; $10,760.00 vs. $10,149.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.7% higher at UCCS than at University of South Carolina Aiken (about $3,118 more per year; $24,336.00 vs. $21,218.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Aiken than at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (93% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students is 20% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Colorado Springs students ($8,904 vs. $7,420).

UCCS vs. USC Aiken Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCCS or USC Aiken? 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 USC Aiken and UCCS.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (1120) is 20 points higher than at USC Aiken (1100).
• Incoming UCCS students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at USC Aiken).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 1010/1220; University of South Carolina Aiken 980/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 20/26; University of South Carolina Aiken 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCCS - Test optional; USC Aiken - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCCS students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at USC Aiken (3.19).
• UCCS has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than USC Aiken (78.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at UCCS vs. 28.2% at USC Aiken.

UCCS vs. USC Aiken Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCCS and USC Aiken? 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).

• The graduation rate at UCCS is the same as at University of South Carolina Aiken (41% vs. 41%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Colorado Springs earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than USC Aiken graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $39,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Colorado Springs graduates have a $5,001 lower median loan debt than USC Aiken graduates ($20,999 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UCCS graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC Aiken graduates ($217 vs. $268).
• More UCCS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC Aiken students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.