Head-to-head · 2026
University of South Carolina Aiken vs University of South Carolina-Lancaster
Compare average net price ($11,641 at University of South Carolina Aiken; $9,801 at University of South Carolina-Lancaster), ROI score (9.79 vs 10.06), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($45,603 vs $39,426), and admissions selectivity (78.5% acceptance at University of South Carolina Aiken; 83.4% at University of South Carolina-Lancaster) 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 | University of South Carolina Aiken | University of South Carolina-Lancaster |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 9.79 | 10.06 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $11,641 | $9,801 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $46,564 | $39,204 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $10,760 | $7,558 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $21,218 | $18,238 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $45,603 ✓ | $39,426 |
| Acceptance rate | 78.5% | 83.4% |
| Graduation rate | 39.9% ✓ | 24.7% |
| Retention rate | 66.8% ✓ | 43.3% |
| Median debt | $24,275 | $9,616 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,962 | 668 |
| Ownership | Public | 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 | University of South Carolina Aiken | University of South Carolina-Lancaster |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $8,987 | $6,306 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $8,435 | $6,462 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $11,440 | $9,072 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $16,046 | $12,310 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $17,502 | $13,884 ✓ |
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 | University of South Carolina Aiken | University of South Carolina-Lancaster |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 0.1% | 68.7% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 14.9% | 8.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of South Carolina-Lancaster reports the lower average net price by $1,840 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $7,360 difference over four years ($39,204 vs $46,564).
University of South Carolina Aiken reports $6,177 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($45,603 vs $39,426). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 66.8% at University of South Carolina Aiken and 43.3% at University of South Carolina-Lancaster. Median federal debt among completers is $24,275 vs $9,616, respectively.
2 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.
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Frequently asked
University of South Carolina Aiken vs University of South Carolina-Lancaster, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of South Carolina-Lancaster is cheaper — average net price $9,801 per year vs $11,641 at University of South Carolina Aiken. The annual difference of $1,840 adds up to about $7,360 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of South Carolina Aiken reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $45,603 vs $39,426 at University of South Carolina-Lancaster. The gap in the federal data is $6,177. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of South Carolina Aiken is more selective at 78.5% acceptance vs 83.4% at University of South Carolina-Lancaster.
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.