University of Massachusetts-Amherst (UMass) vs University of South Carolina-Columbia (UofSC)
Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant college towns of Amherst, Massachusetts, and Columbia, South Carolina, home to the esteemed University of Massachusetts-Amherst and University of South Carolina-Columbia, respectively. While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence, they offer distinct experiences shaped by their unique characteristics. UMass-Amherst boasts a higher acceptance rate, welcoming a more diverse student body, while USC-Columbia maintains a slightly smaller student population. Explore their contrasting popular majors, ranging from engineering and business to nursing and education, catering to a wide spectrum of academic interests. Discover the nuances in their graduation rates, reflecting the institutions' dedication to student success. Delve into the comparison table to uncover further insights into these two exceptional universities, empowering you to make an informed decision that aligns with your aspirations and goals.
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![]() University of Massachusetts-Amherst |
![]() University of South Carolina-Columbia |
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Overview |
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Location | Amherst, Massachusetts | Columbia, South Carolina |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | City: Midsize |
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 | 91.0% | 87.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 65.5% | 61.6% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$85
Graduate:
$85
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Undergraduate:
$65
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | 1250 - 1460 | 1150 - 1360 |
ACT range | 28 - 33 | 26 - 31 |
Students submitting SAT score | 26.0% | 38.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 5.0% | 26.0% |
Total number of applicants | 42,540 | 42,045 |
Total number of admissions given out | 27,877 | 25,884 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 4,872 | 6,174 |
Yield rate | 17.5% | 23.9% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$32,434
Out of state:
$52,959
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In state:
$29,398
Out of state:
$50,638
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Average net price | $17,291 | $21,898 |
Tuition |
In state:
$15,791
Out of state:
$36,316
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In state:
$12,288
Out of state:
$33,528
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,611
Meal plan:
$5,984
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Room/dormitory:
$7,010
Meal plan:
$3,980
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
86.0%
Average amount $10,662 |
93.0%
Average amount $7,055 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
39.0%
Average amount $5,123 |
48.0%
Average amount $5,340 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $15,924 |
10.0%
Average amount $17,657 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
24,231
Men 48.8% Women 51.2% |
26,864
Men 44.9% Women 55.1% |
Graduate students |
7,814
Men 47.9% Women 52.1% |
8,607
Men 37.4% Women 62.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 11.1% | 4.8% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 13,582 | 9,377 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New York New Jersey Connecticut California New Hampshire | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 18:1 | 18:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 83.7% | 78.2% |
Dropout rate | 5.1% | 5.3% |
Transferred out | 10.5% | 16.0% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Doctoral Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
International Business (Master's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Health (Doctoral Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
International Business (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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