University of South Carolina Aiken vs South Carolina State University
University of South Carolina Aiken is a public university in Aiken, SC, and South Carolina State University is a public university in Orangeburg, SC. University of South Carolina Aiken is the more selective of the two, admitting about 79% of applicants against 83% at South Carolina State University. University of South Carolina Aiken is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $11,641 a year against $18,097 at South Carolina State University. About 40% of students graduate at University of South Carolina Aiken, compared with 33% at South Carolina State University. Ten years after enrolling, University of South Carolina Aiken alumni earn a median of about $45,603, against $38,262 for South Carolina State University.
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Aiken, SC
Orangeburg, SC
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
2,962
2,934
Acceptance rate
79%
83%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.4–3.9
3.26–3.76
SAT (middle 50%)
980–1220
800–1050
ACT (middle 50%)
19–26
15–19
Test policy
Considered
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$11,641
$18,097
Full cost / yr
$21,540
$30,015
In-state tuition
$10,760
$11,060
Out-of-state tuition
$21,218
$21,750
Application fee
$45
$25
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$8,987
$16,846
$30k - $48k
$8,435
$16,968
$48k - $75k
$11,440
$20,449
$75k - $110k
$16,046
$22,587
Over $110k
$17,502
$24,523
Outcomes
Graduation rate
40%
33%
Freshman retention
67%
56%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$39,689
$30,064
Median earnings (10 yr)
$45,603
$38,262
Median debt at graduation
$24,275
$31,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
39%
70%
First-generation students
33%
36%
International students
2%
0%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
Rolling
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is University of South Carolina Aiken or South Carolina State University harder to get into?
- University of South Carolina Aiken is harder to get into. It admits about 79% of applicants, compared with 83% at South Carolina State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, University of South Carolina Aiken or South Carolina State University?
- University of South Carolina Aiken is cheaper on average. Students pay about $11,641 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $18,097 at South Carolina State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at University of South Carolina Aiken and South Carolina State University?
- Before aid, University of South Carolina Aiken costs about $21,540 a year and South Carolina State University about $30,015. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, University of South Carolina Aiken or South Carolina State University?
- University of South Carolina Aiken. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $8,987 there, against about $16,846 at South Carolina State University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, University of South Carolina Aiken or South Carolina State University?
- University of South Carolina Aiken is the larger of the two, with about 2,962 undergraduates against 2,934 at South Carolina State University.
- Does University of South Carolina Aiken or South Carolina State University have a better graduation rate?
- University of South Carolina Aiken has the higher graduation rate, at about 40% against 33% at South Carolina State University.
- Do graduates of University of South Carolina Aiken or South Carolina State University earn more?
- University of South Carolina Aiken alumni earn more on average: a median of about $45,603 ten years after enrolling, against about $38,262 for South Carolina State University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do University of South Carolina Aiken and South Carolina State University require SAT or ACT scores?
- University of South Carolina Aiken considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them. South Carolina State University is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
- What SAT scores do University of South Carolina Aiken and South Carolina State University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 980–1220 at University of South Carolina Aiken and 800–1050 at South Carolina State University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
University of South Carolina Aiken vs Citadel Military College of South CarolinaUniversity of South Carolina Aiken vs Furman UniversityUniversity of South Carolina Aiken vs Wofford CollegeSouth Carolina State University vs Citadel Military College of South CarolinaSouth Carolina State University vs Furman UniversitySouth Carolina State University vs Wofford College
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