Academic Comparison between South Carolina and SMC

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

  • South Carolina is a public and SMC is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • South Carolina has more expensive tuition & fees ($36,298) than SMC ($20,650).
  • It is harder to admit to South Carolina than SMC.
  • South Carolina has more students with 38,532 students while SMC has 1,119 students.
  • SMC has a lower number of students per faculty with 16 to 1 while South Carolina's ratio is 19 to 1.
  • South Carolina has more full-time faculties with 1,753 faculties while SMC has 37 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

University of South Carolina-Columbiavs.Spartanburg Methodist College
Columbia, South CarolinaLocationSpartanburg, South Carolina
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedBachelor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationAssociate's - Public Rural-serving Small
In-State$12,688
Out-Of-State$36,298
2025 Tuition & Fees$20,650
80%% Receiving Financial Aid96%
$7,193Average Amount of Financial Aid$15,943
60.15 %Acceptance Rates78.16 %
22.94 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)27.99 %
1,270SAT Score-
29ACT Score-
79 %Graduation Rate43 %
15 %Transfer-out Rate33 %
92 %Retention Rate-
38,532Student Population1,119
1,753Number of Faculties37
19 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio16 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services