University of South Carolina Aiken (USCA) vs Western Colorado University

When it comes to higher education, the University of South Carolina Aiken and Western Colorado University stand out as two distinct institutions with unique offerings. USC Aiken boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for students. In contrast, Western Colorado University has a lower acceptance rate, indicating a more selective admissions process. Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with USC Aiken excelling in fields like business, education, and nursing, while Western Colorado University shines in areas such as environmental science, outdoor education, and business. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further differences, including student body demographics, graduation rates, and additional factors that can help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.
University of South Carolina Aiken logo

University of South Carolina Aiken

Western Colorado University logo

Western Colorado University

Overview

Location Aiken, South Carolina Gunnison, Colorado
Campus setting Suburb: Large Town: Remote
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Public Public
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 59.0% 74.0%
Common app member No Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 83.5% 90.9%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $45

Graduate: $45
Undergraduate: $30

Graduate: $50
SAT range 960 - 1170 1040 - 1230
ACT range 16 - 23 21 - 26
Students submitting SAT score 43.0% 37.0%
Students submitting ACT score 29.0% 11.0%
Total number of applicants 1,808 3,243
Total number of admissions given out 1,510 2,947
Admitted students who chose to enroll 526 456
Yield rate 34.8% 15.5%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Not required
Recommendation letters Not required Not required
High school transcript Required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Not required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $24,928

Out of state: $35,386
In state: $26,956

Out of state: $38,740
Average net price $12,514 $17,490
Tuition
In state: $10,398

Out of state: $20,856
In state: $6,816

Out of state: $18,600
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $5,316

Meal plan: $2,886
Room/dormitory: $5,200

Meal plan: $4,790
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

95.0%
Average amount $7,746
87.0%
Average amount $8,085
Students receiving federal student loan 50.0%
Average amount $4,789
56.0%
Average amount $4,669
Students taking out private loans 4.0%
Average amount $8,017
7.0%
Average amount $12,501

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 3,101
Men 35.0% Women 65.0%
3,241
Men 51.4% Women 48.6%
Graduate students 768
Men 33.5% Women 66.5%
448
Men 31.2% Women 68.8%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Low
Out-of-state students 8.8% 34.9%
International students 1.9% 0.3%
Campus local/setting Suburb: Large Town: Remote
Dormitory capacity 986 1,241
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from South Carolina Georgia North Carolina Florida Maryland Colorado Texas California Alaska Illinois

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Education
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Education
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Natural Resources and Conservation
  • Business
  • Social Sciences
Students to faculty ratio 16:1 18:1
Institutional accreditation Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Higher Learning Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 42.9% 47.6%
Dropout rate 15.6% 32.8%
Transferred out 38.6% 17.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $61,627
  • Year 2: $60,689
  • Year 3: $61,889
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $50,439
  • Year 3: $55,200
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $26,411
  • Year 2: $33,993
  • Year 3: $42,700
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $38,701
  • Year 2: $37,748
  • Year 3: $41,808
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $32,954
  • Year 2: $35,559
  • Year 3: $34,839
Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $29,491
  • Year 2: $29,995
  • Year 3: $33,473
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $25,013
  • Year 2: $26,121
  • Year 3: $32,520
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $15,167
  • Year 2: $17,551
  • Year 3: $22,590
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $29,827
  • Year 2: $30,650
  • Year 3: N/A
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $21,139
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $46,087
  • Year 3: $50,432
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $29,076
  • Year 2: $40,365
  • Year 3: $45,493
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $42,272
  • Year 2: $40,488
  • Year 3: $43,479
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $40,324
  • Year 2: $33,281
  • Year 3: $39,884
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $30,326
  • Year 2: $28,405
  • Year 3: $39,040
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $28,244
  • Year 2: $29,685
  • Year 3: $37,581
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $18,798
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: $36,678
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $39,585
  • Year 3: $35,898
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $26,963
  • Year 2: $27,947
  • Year 3: $35,691
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $23,793
  • Year 2: $27,874
  • Year 3: $34,114

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