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University of South Carolina-Columbia vs University of South Carolina-Upstate

BSN programs compared — side-by-side on NCLEX pass rates, tuition, admissions, and format.

Updated Reviewed by NurseWay Editorial Team

At a glance

Higher NCLEX pass rate
University of South Carolina-Columbia
100% vs 99.3%
Lower tuition
University of South Carolina-Upstate
$11,583 vs $12,688
Easier to get into
University of South Carolina-Upstate
69.6% vs 61.5% acceptance

Side-by-side details

Best value in each row is highlighted.

University of South Carolina-Columbia
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
University of South Carolina-Upstate
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Program typeBSNBSN
Formatin personin person
LocationColumbia, SCSpartanburg, SC
Length48 months48 months
NCLEX pass rate100%BEST99.3%
Acceptance rate61.5%69.6%BEST
Avg accepted GPA
Min GPA
Entrance exam
Total tuition$12,688 in / $34,934 out$11,583 in / $22,545 outBEST
In-state tuition$12,688$11,583BEST
Out-of-state tuition$34,934$22,545BEST
Clinical placement
AccreditationCCNECCNE

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has a higher NCLEX pass rate, University of South Carolina-Columbia or University of South Carolina-Upstate?

University of South Carolina-Columbia's BSN program has the higher first-attempt NCLEX pass rate at 100%, compared to 99.3% for the other program. NCLEX pass rates are the single best signal of how well a program prepares students for licensure.

Which is cheaper, University of South Carolina-Columbia or University of South Carolina-Upstate?

University of South Carolina-Upstate is the more affordable option at roughly $11,583, compared to $12,688. Factor in residency status, financial aid, and program length when deciding — total cost matters more than annual tuition.

Are University of South Carolina-Columbia and University of South Carolina-Upstate the same type of program?

Both are BSN programs, so they award the same credential. Compare them on NCLEX pass rate, tuition, length, and location to find the better fit.

How do I decide between University of South Carolina-Columbia and University of South Carolina-Upstate?

Start by ruling out programs you can't get into (compare your GPA against each school's admissions stats), then weight what matters most — NCLEX pass rate for quality, total tuition for cost, length for time-to-degree, and format (online, hybrid, in-person) for lifestyle. Use NurseWay's free intake to get a personalized fit score for both.

Want a personalized fit score?

Take the free 3-minute intake and we'll rank both programs against your GPA, location preferences, and budget.