University of South Carolina-Upstate
#10 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in South Carolina- Graduation Rate
- 43% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $48,587 B-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $13,557 C+
- 21% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 67% B-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 20.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $20.4 over 20 years. Ranked #10 in Best Criminal Justice Colleges in South Carolina.
Every $1 spent returns $20.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,054,210.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduation of 43% — 25% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $20.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why University of South Carolina-Upstate Matters
University of South Carolina-Upstate is a public college in Spartanburg, SC and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate College
- Enrollment
- 4,038
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Education
Why students choose University of South Carolina-Upstate
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 67% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1005–1175. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $13,557 a year after grants and scholarships — 21% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $48,587 ten years after enrolling — 19% above the typical college, against $22,310 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.18 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of about 4,038 students, the University of South Carolina-Upstate stands out for those looking for a solid, community-focused education in a variety of fields. The acceptance rate of 67% suggests that we can find a welcoming environment. Students often pursue degrees in Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Education, Biology & Biomedical, and Computer Science & IT, making this a versatile choice for many aspiring professionals.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $48,587 on average ten years down the line. That figure gives a good sense of the career potential available to graduates. The cost of attending is reasonable, especially considering that nearly half of the students receive Pell Grants, which can significantly offset expenses. This financial support can open doors for students who may come from lower-income backgrounds.
On the affordability front, the net price after aid sits at $13,557, which is manageable for many families. While the median debt at $22,310 isn't insignificant, it’s not unmanageable either, especially given the earning potential. This setting tends to attract students who are motivated and ready to engage with their studies, creating a community where perseverance and ambition can truly thrive.
Rankings
- #10 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in South Carolina
- #13 Best Communications Colleges in South Carolina
- #14 Best Nursing Colleges in South Carolina
- #15 Best Computer Science Colleges in South Carolina
- #15 Best Data Science Colleges in South Carolina
- #19 Most Affordable Colleges in South Carolina
- #19 Best Biology Colleges in South Carolina
- #20 Best Education Colleges in South Carolina
Can I Get In?
How selective University of South Carolina-Upstate is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of South Carolina-Upstate? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Spartanburg, South Carolina, University of South Carolina-Upstate offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 67% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,099. The graduation rate is roughly 43%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 67%
- Retention Rate
- 70%
- SAT Average
- 1099
- ACT Midpoint
- 21
- SAT Range
- 1005–1175
- ACT Range
- 21–26
- Full-Time Faculty
- 56%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,412
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.66
- First-Gen Students
- 35%
- Applicants
- 3,090
- Admitted
- 2,428
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of South Carolina-Upstate? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of South Carolina-Upstate is $23,090, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $13,557. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,618 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,310 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $11,588
- Out-of-State
- $23,090
- Avg Net Price
- $13,557
- Median Debt
- $22,310
- Pell Grant Rate
- 46%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 49%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $11,618
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $11,537
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $13,394
- Family Income $110K+
- $19,325
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at University of South Carolina-Upstate — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of South Carolina-Upstate Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of South Carolina-Upstate earn a median of $48,587, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $43,339
- 8 Years
- $46,601
- 10 Years
- $48,587
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.46x
- Earning > $25K
- 68%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (235)
- 30%
- 100% (235)
- 30%
- 100% (235)
- 30%
- 100% (235)
- 30%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is University of South Carolina-Upstate Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of South Carolina-Upstate delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $13,557/year ($54,228 total). Graduates earn $48,587 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,108,438 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,054,210 (20.4× your investment). The median debt is $22,310, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 43% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $54,228
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,108,438
- Net Return
- $1,054,210
- ROI Multiple
- 20.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $13,557
- Median Debt
- $22,310
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 43%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $2,497,016
- Investment Income
- $3,199
Top Programs
The fields University of South Carolina-Upstate awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 26% $68,335 early-career
- Business & Marketing 12% $44,068 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 9% $34,410 early-career
- Education 9% $39,077 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 8% $54,063 early-career
- Psychology 7% $33,550 early-career
- Humanities 7% $29,935 early-career
- Criminal Justice 6% $38,544 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of South Carolina-Upstate's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of South Carolina-Upstate? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Spartanburg, South Carolina, University of South Carolina-Upstate offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 67% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,099. The graduation rate is roughly 43%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of South Carolina-Upstate? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of South Carolina-Upstate is $23,090, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $13,557. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,618 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,310 in federal student loans.
Is University of South Carolina-Upstate Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of South Carolina-Upstate earn a median of $48,587, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is University of South Carolina-Upstate? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of South Carolina-Upstate. Its economic connectedness score is 1.18, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of South Carolina-Upstate.
- Eastern Illinois UniversityCharleston, IL · Close peer46% grad $51,989 earn 65% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Southern MainePortland, ME · Close peer43% grad $49,958 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of New OrleansNew Orleans, LA · Close peer40% grad $47,872 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Winston-Salem State UniversityWinston-Salem, NC · Close peer48% grad $45,344 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Clayton State UniversityMorrow, GA · Close peer38% grad $49,179 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Western Illinois UniversityMacomb, IL · Close peer45% grad $54,163 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of South Carolina-Upstate? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of South Carolina-Upstate. Its economic connectedness score is 1.18, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note