UofSC vs. UVA

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Columbia is larger than UVA based on total student enrollment (38,532 students vs. 26,409 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Carolina Columbia is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); University of Virginia Main Campus is in Charlottesville, VA (Small City setting).
• University of South Carolina Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1; University of Virginia Main Campus 15:1.

UofSC vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UofSC or UVA? 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 Virginia Main Campus than UofSC ($18,427 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Columbia are 8.6% lower than at University of Virginia Main Campus ($13,534 vs. $14,800).
• University of Virginia Main Campus is 71.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UofSC (about $9,115 more per year; $21,803.00 vs. $12,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.4% higher at UVA than at University of South Carolina Columbia (about $23,540 more per year; $59,512.00 vs. $35,972.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Columbia than at University of Virginia Main Campus (91% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students is 302.2% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($28,715 vs. $7,139).

UofSC vs. UVA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UofSC or UVA? 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 UVA and UofSC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Virginia Main Campus (1480) is 210 points higher than at UofSC (1270).
• Incoming UVA students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 29 at UofSC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360; University of Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32; University of Virginia Main Campus 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UofSC - Test optional; UVA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UVA students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at UofSC (3.69).
• UofSC has a higher acceptance rate (60.2%) than UVA (16.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.9% at UofSC vs. 40% at UVA.

UofSC vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UofSC and UVA? 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 Virginia Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than University of South Carolina Columbia's (70%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $25,500 more per year than UofSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $51,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia Main Campus graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than UofSC graduates ($19,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, UVA graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UofSC graduates ($201 vs. $240).
• More UVA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UofSC students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 69%)

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.