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University of South Carolina Aiken

USC Aiken

Aiken, South Carolina 29801

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Business-focusedSuburbanGreek life

Known for business — excellent value

University of South Carolina Aiken is a public institution in Aiken with particular strength in business and health sciences. With an average SAT of 1063, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 2.8K undergraduates with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio. The suburban location offers a balance of campus life and nearby amenities.

40% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $45,603 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $11,611.

Established
1961
Mascot
Ace the Pacer
Type
Public university
Conference
ten
Division
Division II

Campus Visits

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80%Acceptance
1063SAT Avg
2,805Students
15:1Student:Faculty
40%Grad Rate
$45,603Earnings 10yr
$11,611Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate79.7%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1063

Reading & WritingMid: 545
490620
MathMid: 520
480580

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 20
1723

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$10,760
Tuition (out-of-state)$21,218
Room & Board$8,736
Books & Supplies$1,240
Total Cost of Attendance$20,922
Average Net Price$11,611
Median Debt at Graduation$24,275
Monthly Payment (10yr)$257

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$7,618
$30–48K$10,107
$48–75K$12,688
$75–110K$16,097
$110K+$16,708

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

54.0%

Median Debt at Grad

$13,000

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

21

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

5

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

2

Motor Vehicle Theft

2

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

6

Drug Arrests

4

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (33)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

64%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
2,805
Gender Split
63% / 37%
Women / Men
First Generation
33%
Pell Grant Recipients
37%

Race & Ethnicity

White 60%
Black 22%
Hispanic 8%
Asian 1%
Two+ 6%
Int'l 2%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate40.1%
Freshman Retention64.4%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$39,689
10 Years$45,603

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

93Average

Estimated from SC state average + suburban adjustment

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 0"Sunny days: 240Rainy days: 85

Nearest Cities

Charlottepop. 880K
126 mi(218 min)
Atlantapop. 500K
151 mi(262 min)
Raleighpop. 470K
234 mi(406 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

CLT Charlotte123 mi
ATL Atlanta153 mi
JAX Jacksonville213 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA841 mi · ~24h 18m drive
New York, NY652 mi · ~18h 50m drive
Hartford, CT753 mi · ~21h 45m drive
Providence, RI802 mi · ~23h 10m drive
Albany, NY763 mi · ~22h 3m drive
Syracuse, NY722 mi · ~20h 51m drive
Rochester, NY699 mi · ~20h 12m drive
Buffalo, NY662 mi · ~19h 7m drive
Philadelphia, PA572 mi · ~16h 31m drive
Pittsburgh, PA484 mi · ~13h 59m drive
Harrisburg, PA536 mi · ~15h 29m drive
Newark, NJ647 mi · ~18h 41m drive
Washington, DC453 mi · ~13h 5m drive
Baltimore, MD488 mi · ~14h 6m drive
Atlanta, GA151 mi · ~4h 22m drive
Charlotte, NC126 mi · ~3h 38m drive
Raleigh, NC234 mi · ~6h 46m drive
Miami, FL548 mi · ~15h 50m drive
Orlando, FL349 mi · ~10h 5m drive
Tampa, FL391 mi · ~11h 18m drive
Nashville, TN336 mi · ~9h 42m drive
New Orleans, LA548 mi · ~15h 50m drive
Richmond, VA367 mi · ~10h 36m drive
Chicago, IL657 mi · ~18h 59m drive
Detroit, MI609 mi · ~17h 36m drive
Minneapolis, MN997 mi · ~28h 48m drive
St. Louis, MO586 mi · ~16h 56m drive
Kansas City, MO808 mi · ~23h 21m drive
Indianapolis, IN492 mi · ~14h 13m drive
Columbus, OH447 mi · ~12h 55m drive
Cleveland, OH548 mi · ~15h 50m drive
Milwaukee, WI733 mi · ~21h 11m drive
Dallas, TX870 mi · ~25h 8m drive
Houston, TX841 mi · ~24h 18m drive
Austin, TX963 mi · ~27h 49m drive
San Antonio, TX1025 mi · ~29h 37m drive
Los Angeles, CA2083 mi · ~60h 11m drive
San Francisco, CA2282 mi · ~65h 55m drive
San Diego, CA2038 mi · ~58h 53m drive
Seattle, WA2306 mi · ~66h 37m drive
Portland, OR2301 mi · ~66h 28m drive
Denver, CO1351 mi · ~39h 2m drive
Phoenix, AZ1740 mi · ~50h 16m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1722 mi · ~49h 45m drive
Honolulu, HI4643 mi · ~134h 8m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

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