Southern Conference (SoCon) 2025 Tuition Comparison and 2026 Estimation

This comprehensive guide compares the 10 colleges and universities that comprise Southern Conference (SoCon), including detailed academic statistics, admission requirements, and enrollment data. Our comparison includes key metrics such as acceptance rates, SAT scores, graduation rates, student populations, and faculty ratios to help prospective students make informed decisions about their education.

Comprehensive Admission and Academic Comparison for Southern Conference (SoCon) Member Institutions

The Southern Conference (SoCon) includes a diverse mix of 6 public institutions and 4 private colleges, offering students a variety of educational environments and funding models. Among Southern Conference (SoCon) schools, the average acceptance rate stands at 67.77%, reflecting moderately selective admissions standards.
Citadel Military College of South Carolina maintains the most selective admissions process with a 22.72% acceptance rate, while University of North Carolina at Greensboro has a more accessible admission rate of 88.51%.
Collectively, these Southern Conference (SoCon) member institutions serve a combined student population of 78,917 students. University of North Carolina at Greensboro leads with the largest campus enrollment of 17,743 students, providing a large university experience, while Virginia Military Institute offers a more intimate educational setting with 1,560 students.
Member schools achieve an average graduation rate of 68.00%, demonstrating strong student retention and success. The average student-to-faculty ratio across Southern Conference (SoCon) institutions is 13.70:1, ensuring quality educational interaction and personalized attention.
The comprehensive comparison table below presents detailed academic information, admission statistics, and key institutional facts for all Southern Conference (SoCon) member colleges.
Data includes acceptance rates, average SAT scores, total enrollment figures, and student-to-faculty ratios for the 2024-2025 academic year. Graduation rate statistics reflect outcomes from the 2023-2024 academic year, providing current and relevant information for prospective students and families.
Table. Southern Conference (SoCon) Academic Overview
Name Acceptance RateSAT ScoreGraduation RatePopulationStudent-Faculty Ratio
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN
81.09%1,10050%11,380 17:1 (5.88 %)
Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Charleston, SC
22.72%1,19075%3,727 11:1 (9.09 %)
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN
86.19%1,08053%13,586 18:1 (5.56 %)
Furman University
Greenville, SC
42.95%1,34079%2,505 9:1 (11.11 %)
Mercer University
Macon, GA
68.89%1,25070%9,124 13:1 (7.69 %)
Samford University
Birmingham, AL
82.36%1,15077%5,791 14:1 (7.14 %)
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro, NC
88.51%1,20556%17,743 17:1 (5.88 %)
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, VA
71.25%1,18076%1,560 10:1 (10.00 %)
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC
81.83%1,18060%11,628 16:1 (6.25 %)
Wofford College
Spartanburg, SC
51.94%1,27784%1,873 12:1 (8.33 %)
Average67.77%1,19568.00%78,917 (Total) 13.70:1 (7.30 %)

Southern Conference (SoCon) 2025 Tuition Comparison and 2026 Estimated Costs

The comprehensive tuition comparison table below presents the official 2024-2025 tuition and fees data for Southern Conference (SoCon), as published by the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). This authoritative data provides accurate cost information to help prospective students and families make informed financial decisions about their higher education investment.
Our 2025-2026 tuition estimates are calculated using a data-driven methodology that analyzes each institution's historical tuition trends and rate of change from the 2024-2025 academic year. These projections help students anticipate future education costs and plan their college budgets accordingly, though actual costs may vary based on institutional decisions and economic factors.
Among Southern Conference (SoCon), undergraduate tuition and fees average $34,352 for the 2024-2025 academic year. Furman University represents the highest-cost option with annual tuition and fees of $59,770, while Western Carolina University offers the most affordable undergraduate education at $8,630 per year. This significant cost variation reflects differences in institutional resources, geographic location, and educational offerings.
For graduate-level programs, the average tuition and fees among Southern Conference (SoCon) is $19,711 annually. Graduate students will find the highest tuition costs at East Tennessee State University with $26,486 in annual tuition and fees, while Furman University provides the most cost-effective graduate education option at $14,796 per year. These graduate program costs exclude living expenses, books, and additional fees that may apply to specific programs or specializations.
UndergraduateGraduate
Table. Southern Conference (SoCon) 2025 Tuition Comparison and 2026 Estimation
School Name 2025 Tuition & Fees2026 Estimated Tuition & Fees
In-StateOut-of-StateIn-StateOut-of-State
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga $10,448$18,512 $10,761 $18,821
Citadel Military College of South Carolina $12,570$38,508 $12,570 $39,681
East Tennessee State University $10,216$13,726 $10,753 $14,455
Furman University $59,770$61,264
Mercer University $31,565$29,849
Samford University $40,150$42,261
University of North Carolina at Greensboro $7,661$24,012 $7,730 $24,704
Virginia Military Institute $21,046$52,638 $21,623 $54,131
Western Carolina University $4,630$8,630 $4,730 $8,729
Wofford College $56,005$57,977
Average$11,095$34,352$11,361$35,187
Table. Southern Conference (SoCon) 2025 Graduate School Tuition Comparison and 2026 Estimation
School Name 2025 Tuition & Fees2026 Estimated Tuition & Fees
In-StateOut-of-StateIn-StateOut-of-State
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga $11,110$19,174 $11,110$11,442
Citadel Military College of South Carolina $12,780$18,540 $12,780$12,871
East Tennessee State University $11,366$26,486 $11,366$11,979
Furman University $14,796$14,624
Mercer University $14,971$12,546
Samford University $21,797$21,019
University of North Carolina at Greensboro $8,614$23,329 $8,614$8,683
Virginia Military Institute -- --
Western Carolina University $7,876$18,595 $7,876$7,975
Wofford College --
Average$10,349$19,711$10,590$19,501