CAU vs. USC Beaufort

Comparable Facts

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

Clark Atlanta University is larger than USC Beaufort based on total student enrollment (4,252 students vs. 2,208 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Clark Atlanta University is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); University of South Carolina Beaufort is in Bluffton, SC (Distant Rural setting).
• Clark Atlanta 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: Clark Atlanta University 16:1; University of South Carolina Beaufort 15:1.

CAU vs. USC Beaufort Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CAU 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 CAU ($15,363 vs. $31,223).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Beaufort are 0.2% lower than at Clark Atlanta University ($12,725 vs. $12,748).
• Clark Atlanta University is 163.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Beaufort (about $17,580 more per year; $28,310.00 vs. $10,730.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30% higher at CAU than at University of South Carolina Beaufort (about $6,534 more per year; $28,310.00 vs. $21,776.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clark Atlanta University than at University of South Carolina Beaufort (89% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Clark Atlanta University students is 43.3% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Beaufort students ($12,453 vs. $8,692).

CAU vs. USC Beaufort Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CAU 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 CAU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Beaufort (1030) is 30 points higher than at CAU (1000).
• Incoming USC Beaufort students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 18 at CAU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clark Atlanta University 880/1120; University of South Carolina Beaufort 940/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clark Atlanta University 16/20; University of South Carolina Beaufort 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CAU - Test optional; USC Beaufort - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CAU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USC Beaufort students have a 0.54 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at CAU (3.28).
• USC Beaufort has a higher acceptance rate (72.5%) than CAU (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.7% at CAU vs. 26.1% at USC Beaufort.

CAU vs. USC Beaufort Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CAU 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).

• Clark Atlanta University's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than University of South Carolina Beaufort's (21%).
• Graduates from Clark Atlanta University earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than USC Beaufort graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Beaufort graduates have a $6,526 lower median loan debt than CAU graduates ($24,474 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, USC Beaufort graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CAU graduates ($253 vs. $320).
• More USC Beaufort graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CAU students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 30%)

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.