Head-to-head · 2026
University of South Carolina Aiken vs University of South Carolina-Upstate
Compare average net price ($11,641 at University of South Carolina Aiken; $13,557 at University of South Carolina-Upstate), ROI score (9.79 vs 8.96), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($45,603 vs $48,587), and admissions selectivity (78.5% acceptance at University of South Carolina Aiken; 67.3% at University of South Carolina-Upstate) 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-Upstate |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 9.79 ✓ | 8.96 |
| Avg net price | $11,641 ✓ | $13,557 |
| 4-year avg net price | $46,564 ✓ | $54,228 |
| In-state tuition | $10,760 | $11,588 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $21,218 | $23,090 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $45,603 | $48,587 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 78.5% | 67.3% |
| Graduation rate | 39.9% | 43% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 66.8% | 69.9% ✓ |
| Median debt | $24,275 | $22,310 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,962 | 4,038 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1120 | 1099 |
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-Upstate |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $8,987 ✓ | $11,618 |
| Family income $30–48k | $8,435 ✓ | $11,537 |
| Family income $48–75k | $11,440 ✓ | $13,394 |
| Family income $75–110k | $16,046 ✓ | $17,356 |
| Family income $110k+ | $17,502 ✓ | $19,325 |
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-Upstate |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 45.9% | 4% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 14.9% | 21.9% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 6.9% | 20.2% |
| Psychology, General | 4.2% | 5.6% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 2.4% | 3.8% |
| Biology, General | 3.2% | 2% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 0.1% | 4.8% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 1.5% | 3.1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of South Carolina Aiken reports the lower average net price by $1,916 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $7,664 difference over four years ($46,564 vs $54,228).
University of South Carolina-Upstate reports $2,984 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($48,587 vs $45,603). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 66.8% at University of South Carolina Aiken and 69.9% at University of South Carolina-Upstate. Median federal debt among completers is $24,275 vs $22,310, 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.
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Frequently asked
University of South Carolina Aiken vs University of South Carolina-Upstate, 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 $13,557 at University of South Carolina-Upstate. The annual difference of $1,916 adds up to about $7,664 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of South Carolina-Upstate reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $48,587 vs $45,603 at University of South Carolina Aiken. The gap in the federal data is $2,984. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of South Carolina-Upstate is more selective at 67.3% 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.