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University of South Carolina-Upstate vs South University-Columbia

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

Updated Reviewed by NurseWay Editorial Team

At a glance

Lower tuition
University of South Carolina-Upstate
$14,109 vs $16,536

Side-by-side details

Best value in each row is highlighted.

University of South Carolina-Upstate
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
South University-Columbia
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Program typeMSNMSN
Formatin personin person
LocationSpartanburg, SCColumbia, SC
Length24 months24 months
NCLEX pass rate99.3%
Acceptance rate69.6%
Avg accepted GPA
Min GPA
Entrance exam
Total tuition$14,109 in / $30,135 outBEST$16,536
In-state tuition$14,109BEST$16,536
Out-of-state tuition$30,135$16,536BEST
Clinical placement
AccreditationCCNECCNE

Frequently Asked Questions

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

University of South Carolina-Upstate is the more affordable option at roughly $14,109, compared to $16,536. Factor in residency status, financial aid, and program length when deciding — total cost matters more than annual tuition.

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

Both are MSN 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-Upstate and South University-Columbia?

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.