University of South Carolina Aiken (USCA) vs University of West Alabama (UWA)
When it comes to choosing the right university, it's essential to compare institutions to find the best fit. University of South Carolina Aiken (USC Aiken) and University of West Alabama (UWA) offer distinct experiences for students. USC Aiken, located in Aiken, South Carolina, boasts a higher acceptance rate (78%) compared to UWA's 68%. Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with USC Aiken excelling in fields like Business, Education, and Nursing, while UWA shines in areas such as Business, Education, and Social Sciences. While USC Aiken's student body is predominantly female (58%), UWA has a more balanced gender ratio. UWA also has a slightly higher graduation rate (53%) compared to USC Aiken's 48%. Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve deeper into these differences and make an informed decision about your academic journey.
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![]() University of South Carolina Aiken |
![]() University of West Alabama |
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Overview |
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Location | Aiken, South Carolina | Livingston, Alabama |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | Rural: 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% | 63.0% |
![]() |
No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 83.5% | 74.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$45
Graduate:
$45
|
Undergraduate:
$30
Graduate:
$40
|
SAT range | 960 - 1170 | 880 - 980 |
ACT range | 16 - 23 | 17 - 21 |
Students submitting SAT score | 43.0% | 2.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 29.0% | 69.0% |
Total number of applicants | 1,808 | 1,539 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,510 | 1,144 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 526 | 351 |
Yield rate | 34.8% | 30.7% |
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 |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$24,928
Out of state:
$35,386
|
In state:
$22,911
Out of state:
$32,011
|
Average net price | $12,514 | $15,435 |
Tuition |
In state:
$10,398
Out of state:
$20,856
|
In state:
$9,100
Out of state:
$18,200
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,316
Meal plan:
$2,886
|
Room/dormitory:
$4,760
Meal plan:
$2,834
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
95.0%
Average amount $7,746 |
89.0%
Average amount $7,129 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
50.0%
Average amount $4,789 |
65.0%
Average amount $5,418 |
Students taking out private loans |
4.0%
Average amount $8,017 |
3.0%
Average amount $8,357 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
3,101
Men 35.0% Women 65.0% |
2,322
Men 30.6% Women 69.4% |
Graduate students |
768
Men 33.5% Women 66.5% |
3,272
Men 20.0% Women 80.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
|
Out-of-state students | 8.8% | N/A |
International students | 1.9% | 2.0% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Rural: Remote |
Dormitory capacity | 986 | 1,019 |
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 | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 42.9% | 39.1% |
Dropout rate | 15.6% | 21.5% |
Transferred out | 38.6% | 36.0% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Educational/Instructional Media Design (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
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