UofSC vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Columbia is larger than University of South Carolina-Upstate based on total student enrollment (38,532 students vs. 4,916 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Carolina Columbia is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); University of South Carolina Upstate is in Spartanburg, SC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• University of South Carolina Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Upstate is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1; University of South Carolina Upstate 15:1.

UofSC vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UofSC or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 Upstate than UofSC ($13,999 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Upstate are 22.2% lower than at University of South Carolina Columbia ($10,533 vs. $13,534).
• University of South Carolina Columbia is 9.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of South Carolina-Upstate (about $1,100 more per year; $12,688.00 vs. $11,588.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.8% higher at UofSC than at University of South Carolina Upstate (about $12,882 more per year; $35,972.00 vs. $23,090.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Upstate than at University of South Carolina Columbia (97% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Carolina Upstate students is 50.1% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($10,719 vs. $7,139).

UofSC vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UofSC or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 University of South Carolina-Upstate and UofSC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Columbia (1270) is 180 points higher than at University of South Carolina-Upstate (1090).
• Incoming UofSC students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 23 at University of South Carolina-Upstate).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360; University of South Carolina Upstate 1005/1175.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32; University of South Carolina Upstate 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UofSC - Test optional; University of South Carolina-Upstate - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UofSC students have a 1.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53).
• University of South Carolina-Upstate has a higher acceptance rate (67.3%) than UofSC (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.9% at UofSC vs. 24% at University of South Carolina-Upstate.

UofSC vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UofSC and University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 South Carolina Upstate's (39%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of about $12,400 more per year than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $39,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Upstate graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than UofSC graduates ($22,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UofSC graduates ($232 vs. $240).
• More UofSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Carolina-Upstate students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 55%)

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.