University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) vs. Clemson University Overview
You’re wrestling with a tough question: “Should I go to University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) or Clemson University?“
University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC)
Clemson University
Can you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesCan you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesThis complete guide analyzes both the quantitative and qualitative differences between University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) and Clemson University. This comparison is particularly valuable at understanding the cultural nuances between the colleges since it uses student videos to capture the “vibes” of campus - these videos are exclusively available on CampusReel :)
Differences between University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) and Clemson University
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s go through a general overview of the high-level differences between University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) and Clemson University. The table below summarizes some of the most important statistics around competitiveness, costs, etc.
| University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) | Clemson University | |
|---|---|---|
| In-state Tuition | $11,482 | $14,272 |
| Net Price | $18,555 | $15,885 |
| Average Financial Aid | $2,839 | $6,662 |
| Total Undergraduates | 24941 | 17740 |
| Average SAT Scores | 1110 - 1290 | 1150 - 1350 |
| Acceptance Rate | 65 | 51 |
| Location | Columbia-Campus | 201 Sikes Hall |
| City Name | Columbia | Clemson |
WARNINGS: Based on net price alone, Clemson University is the cheaper option. However, this sticker price may not adequately represent the difference in living costs between Columbia and Clemson. University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) is in a South Atlantic and Clemson University is in a South Atlantic - sometimes off campus meals and housing costs can dramatically vary between schools
Is University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) or Clemson University Harder to get into? Which school is easier to get into?
If you’re looking at acceptance rate alone, then Clemson University is more difficult to get into. However, each college is looking to fill its incoming class with a variety of students with different strengths, backgrounds, etc.
Therefore, the acceptance rate alone is not a good indicator that Clemson University is a better school or will be more difficult for you specifically to get into. On the flipside, University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) is easier to get into based on acceptance rate alone.
You can use the below college admissions predictor to determine your likelihood of acceptance at either school.
How Do University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) Dorms Compare to housing Options at Clemson University?
Both colleges provide on-campus living options. University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) charges for on-campus living, while Clemson University charges N/A for on-campus living. Most importantly, though, check out the video below for a sample of dorm tours at each school.
University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) and Clemson University student body differences
The table below helps demonstrate the student body differences as well.
| University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC), % | Clemson University,% | |
|---|---|---|
| White | 76.84 | 83.46000000000001 |
| Hispanic | 4.41 | 3.2099999999999995 |
| Black | 9.569999999999999 | 6.61 |
| Foreign | 1.44 | 0.7100000000000001 |
| Others | 7.7 | 6 |
How different is the University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) campus compared to Clemson University campus?
The University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) campus is located in Columbia, SC and is characterized as City: Midsize (population of at least 100,000 but less than 250,000). The Clemson University campus is located in Clemson, SC and is characterized as Suburb: Large (outside principal city, in urbanized area with population of 250,000 or more).
Which school gives more financial aid?
University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) provides $2,839 whereas Clemson University provides an average of $6,662.
How does University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) academics compare to Clemson University?
When analyzing academics between University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) and Clemson University we’ll look at both what current students are studying and also where they end up after graduation. After all, college should prepare you for a career! Analyzing each school’s outcomes is super valuable to understand the value of the degree.
| Majors | University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) | Clemson University |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture agriculture operations and related sciences | N/A | 280 |
| Natural resources and conservation | 43 | 49 |
| Architecture and related services | N/A | 47 |
| Area ethnic cultural gender and group studies | 15 | N/A |
| Communication journalism and related programs | 349 | 7 |
| Computer and information sciences and support services | 170 | 128 |
| Communications technologies technicians and support services | N/A | N/A |
| Personal and culinary services | N/A | N/A |
| Engineering | 413 | 869 |
| Education | 236 | 120 |
| Engineering technologies and engineering related fields | N/A | 57 |
Which is better: University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) or Clemson University?
We’ve compared dorm life, costs, outcomes and more to provide the most complete comparison between University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) and Clemson University. But, you’re smart enough to know that numbers paint a terrible picture for truly understanding what each college and community is like. And, the real answer to which school is better is: the school that’s right for you. No matter who you ask, if they know what they’re talking about, the answer is the same: the “better” school is whatever is the best fit for you personally. That’s why it’s extremely important to check out all the videos on CampusReel for each school.
How does University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) social life compare to Clemson University?
It’s tough to understand the nuances of social life with data alone. That’s why we’ve brought in real student videos to show how University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) social life differs from Clemson University.
Check here.
Check here.