CSU vs. USC Beaufort

Comparable Facts

Compare Charleston Southern University in Charleston, SC with University of South Carolina Beaufort in Bluffton, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Charleston Southern University is larger than USC Beaufort based on total student enrollment (3,832 students vs. 2,208 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Charleston Southern University is located in Charleston, SC (Small City setting); University of South Carolina Beaufort is in Bluffton, SC (Distant Rural setting).
• Charleston Southern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Beaufort is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Charleston Southern University 12:1; University of South Carolina Beaufort 15:1.

CSU vs. USC Beaufort Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or USC Beaufort? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Carolina Beaufort than CSU ($15,363 vs. $21,080).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Charleston Southern University are 4.1% lower than at University of South Carolina Beaufort ($12,200 vs. $12,725).
• Charleston Southern University is 203.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Beaufort (about $21,790 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $10,730.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.3% higher at CSU than at University of South Carolina Beaufort (about $10,744 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $21,776.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Charleston Southern University than at University of South Carolina Beaufort (98% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Charleston Southern University students is 167.4% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Beaufort students ($23,240 vs. $8,692).

CSU vs. USC Beaufort Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or USC Beaufort? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between USC Beaufort and CSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Charleston Southern University (1050) is 20 points higher than at USC Beaufort (1030).
• Incoming CSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at USC Beaufort).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Charleston Southern University 930/1160; University of South Carolina Beaufort 940/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Charleston Southern University 18/24; University of South Carolina Beaufort 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test optional; USC Beaufort - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman USC Beaufort students have a 0.58 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at CSU (3.24).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than USC Beaufort (72.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at CSU vs. 26.1% at USC Beaufort.

CSU vs. USC Beaufort Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and USC Beaufort? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Charleston Southern University's six-year graduation rate (38%) is higher than University of South Carolina Beaufort's (21%).
• Graduates from Charleston Southern University earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than USC Beaufort graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,800 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Beaufort graduates have a $2,526 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($24,474 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, USC Beaufort graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($253 vs. $279).
• More USC Beaufort graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 50%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.