CofC vs. USC Beaufort

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Charleston 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.

College of Charleston is larger than USC Beaufort based on total student enrollment (11,926 students vs. 2,208 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Charleston is located in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting); University of South Carolina Beaufort is in Bluffton, SC (Distant Rural setting).
• College of Charleston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Beaufort is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Charleston 16:1; University of South Carolina Beaufort 15:1.

CofC vs. USC Beaufort Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CofC 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 CofC ($15,363 vs. $21,004).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Beaufort are 11.2% lower than at College of Charleston ($12,725 vs. $14,332).
• College of Charleston is 21% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Beaufort (about $2,248 more per year; $12,978.00 vs. $10,730.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.9% higher at CofC than at University of South Carolina Beaufort (about $16,520 more per year; $38,296.00 vs. $21,776.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Charleston than at University of South Carolina Beaufort (95% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Charleston students is 3.3% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Beaufort students ($8,983 vs. $8,692).

CofC vs. USC Beaufort Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CofC 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 CofC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Charleston (1230) is 200 points higher than at USC Beaufort (1030).
• Incoming CofC students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 19 at USC Beaufort).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Charleston 1140/1310; University of South Carolina Beaufort 940/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Charleston 25/30; University of South Carolina Beaufort 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CofC - Test optional; USC Beaufort - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CofC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CofC students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at USC Beaufort (3.82).
• USC Beaufort has a higher acceptance rate (72.5%) than CofC (60%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.9% at CofC vs. 26.1% at USC Beaufort.

CofC vs. USC Beaufort Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CofC 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).

• College of Charleston's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than University of South Carolina Beaufort's (21%).
• Graduates from College of Charleston earn a median of about $9,500 more per year than USC Beaufort graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Charleston graduates have a $2,974 lower median loan debt than USC Beaufort graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,474).
• Among borrowers, CofC graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC Beaufort graduates ($222 vs. $253).
• More CofC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC Beaufort students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.