UofSC vs. Virginia Tech

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Tech is larger than UofSC based on total student enrollment (38,857 students vs. 38,532 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Carolina Columbia is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); Virginia Tech is in Blacksburg, VA (Small City setting).
• University of South Carolina Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Tech is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1; Virginia Tech 17:1.

UofSC vs. Virginia Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UofSC or Virginia Tech? 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 Virginia Tech ($24,488 vs. $24,912).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Columbia are 18.2% lower than at Virginia Tech ($13,534 vs. $16,550).
• Virginia Tech is 25.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UofSC (about $3,260 more per year; $15,948.00 vs. $12,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5% higher at Virginia Tech than at University of South Carolina Columbia (about $1,792 more per year; $37,764.00 vs. $35,972.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Columbia than at Virginia Tech (91% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Tech students is 28.4% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($9,168 vs. $7,139).

UofSC vs. Virginia Tech Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Tech (1370) is 100 points higher than at UofSC (1270).
• Incoming Virginia Tech students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at UofSC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360; Virginia Tech 1280/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32; Virginia Tech 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UofSC - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Virginia Tech - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: UofSC Dec 1, 2026; Virginia Tech Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Virginia Tech students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at UofSC (3.69).
• UofSC has a higher acceptance rate (60.2%) than Virginia Tech (54.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.9% at UofSC vs. 25.3% at Virginia Tech.

UofSC vs. Virginia Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UofSC and Virginia Tech? 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).

• Virginia Tech's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than University of South Carolina Columbia's (70%).
• Graduates from Virginia Tech earn a median of about $13,300 more per year than UofSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,000 vs. $51,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Columbia graduates have a $716 lower median loan debt than Virginia Tech graduates ($23,250 vs. $23,966).
• Among borrowers, UofSC graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Tech graduates ($240 vs. $247).
• More Virginia Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UofSC students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.