Head-to-head · 2026
Erskine College vs University of South Carolina Aiken
Compare average net price ($16,525 at Erskine College; $11,641 at University of South Carolina Aiken), ROI score (8.09 vs 9.79), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($53,459 vs $45,603), and admissions selectivity (62.7% acceptance at Erskine College; 78.5% at University of South Carolina Aiken) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Erskine College | University of South Carolina Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.09 | 9.79 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $16,525 | $11,641 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $66,100 | $46,564 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $36,710 | $10,760 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $36,710 | $21,218 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $53,459 ✓ | $45,603 |
| Acceptance rate | 62.7% | 78.5% |
| Graduation rate | 45.2% ✓ | 39.9% |
| Retention rate | 55.8% | 66.8% ✓ |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $24,275 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 766 | 2,962 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1120 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Erskine College | University of South Carolina Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $14,555 | $8,987 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $12,666 | $8,435 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $18,652 | $11,440 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $16,405 | $16,046 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $18,942 | $17,502 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Erskine College | University of South Carolina Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 24.2% | 45.9% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 14.8% | 0.1% |
| Biology, General | 9.4% | 3.2% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 4.7% | 6.8% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 3.1% | 6.9% |
| Psychology, General | 3.1% | 4.2% |
| History | 4.7% | 1% |
| Chemistry | 3.1% | 0.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of South Carolina Aiken reports the lower average net price by $4,884 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $19,536 difference over four years ($46,564 vs $66,100).
Erskine College reports $7,856 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($53,459 vs $45,603). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 55.8% at Erskine College and 66.8% at University of South Carolina Aiken. Median federal debt among completers is $27,000 vs $24,275, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Erskine College vs University of South Carolina Aiken, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of South Carolina Aiken is cheaper — average net price $11,641 per year vs $16,525 at Erskine College. The annual difference of $4,884 adds up to about $19,536 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Erskine College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $53,459 vs $45,603 at University of South Carolina Aiken. The gap in the federal data is $7,856. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Erskine College is more selective at 62.7% acceptance vs 78.5% at University of South Carolina Aiken.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.