Academic Comparison between Vanderbilt University and South Carolina

Vanderbilt University and University of South Carolina-Columbia are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Vanderbilt University is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Nashville, TN and South Carolina is a four-year, public school located in Columbia, SC.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Vanderbilt University is a private (not-for-profit) and South Carolina is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Vanderbilt University has more expensive tuition & fees ($63,946) than South Carolina ($34,943).
  • It is harder to admit to Vanderbilt University than South Carolina.
  • Vanderbilt University has a higher submitted SAT score (1,540) than South Carolina (1,270).
  • Vanderbilt University has higher submitted ACT score (35) than South Carolina (29).
  • South Carolina has more students with 35,653 students while Vanderbilt University has 13,710 students.
  • Vanderbilt University has a lower number of students per faculty with 7 to 1 while South Carolina's ratio is 18 to 1.
  • South Carolina has more full-time faculties with 1,693 faculties while Vanderbilt University has 1,249 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
Vanderbilt University South Carolina
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Vanderbilt Universityvs.University of South Carolina-Columbia
Nashville, TennesseeLocationColumbia, South Carolina
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
$63,9462024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$12,688
Out-Of-State$34,943
66%% Receiving Financial Aid93%
$49,056Average Amount of Financial Aid$6,907
6.00 %Acceptance Rates61.00 %
57.01 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)25.00 %
1,540SAT Score1,270
35ACT Score29
92 %Graduation Rate78 %
-Transfer-out Rate15 %
96 %Retention Rate90 %
13,710Student Population35,653
1,249Number of Faculties1,693
7 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio18 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare
More Rivals