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University of South Carolina vs University of Tennessee
Side-by-side comparison of admissions, costs, and outcomes
Cross-Admit Decision Data
Of 19 applicants admitted to both schools:
Based on 19 self-reported cross-admit decisions from the last 5 cycles
View all-time data (37 cross-admits)
37 total cross-admit decisions (all cycles)
South Carolina is Top 75 · UTKnoxville is Top 75 in the LSD rankings
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About this comparison
This page compares University of South Carolina and University of Tennessee across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.
In the U.S. News rankings, University of Tennessee is ranked #55 compared to #63 — a gap of 8 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.
University of South Carolina is located in Columbia, South Carolina, while University of Tennessee is in Knoxville, Tennessee. Regional placement matters: graduates tend to find employment near their law school, so location should factor into your decision alongside rankings and cost.
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Admissions Comparison
2025 ABA 509How these schools compare on LSAT, GPA, selectivity, and class composition.
| Metric | South Carolina | UTKnoxville |
|---|---|---|
| USN Rank | #63 | #55 ▲ |
| LSD Rank | Top 75 (0.004) | Top 75 (0.006) ▲ |
| LSAT 25th | 160 | 160 |
| LSAT Median | 162 | 164 ▲ |
| LSAT 75th | 164 | 166 ▲ |
| GPA Median | 3.67 | 3.89 ▲ |
| Acceptance Rate | 29.9% | 24.8% ▲ |
| Class Size | 221 | 140 |
| Yield Rate | 34.0% ▲ | 25.8% |
Financial Comparison
2025 ABA 509Tuition, scholarships, and debt burden at each school.
| Metric | South Carolina | UTKnoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (In-State) | $20,322 | $16,696 ▲ |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $38,100 | $35,140 ▲ |
| Median Grant | $12,562 ▲ | $10,550 |
| % Receiving Grants | 90.0% ▲ | 89.0% |
| Avg. Debt at Graduation | - | - |
Employment Outcomes
2024 ABA 509Post-graduation employment placement, salaries, and bar passage.
| Metric | South Carolina | UTKnoxville |
|---|---|---|
| BigLaw (501+) | 7.9% | 10.2% ▲ |
| Judicial Clerkships | 19.3% ▲ | 5.5% |
| Median Salary (Private) | $90,000 | $150,000 ▲ |
| Employment Rate | 92.1% | 92.1% |
| Bar Pass Rate | 83.3% | 91.9% ▲ |
Cross-Admit Decisions by Cycle
How cross-admit preferences have shifted over recent application cycles.
South Carolina
UTKnoxville
| Cycle | Split | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 |
40%
|
5 |
| 2023-2024 |
40%
|
5 |
| 2022-2023 |
20%
|
5 |
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