Columbia College vs. USC Beaufort

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Beaufort is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (2,208 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); University of South Carolina Beaufort is in Bluffton, SC (Distant Rural setting).
• Columbia College 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: Columbia College 12:1; University of South Carolina Beaufort 15:1.

Columbia College vs. USC Beaufort Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College 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 Columbia College ($15,363 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 26.2% lower than at University of South Carolina Beaufort ($9,390 vs. $12,725).
• Columbia College is 107% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Beaufort (about $11,484 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $10,730.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2% higher at Columbia College than at University of South Carolina Beaufort (about $438 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $21,776.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at University of South Carolina Beaufort (97% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 89.3% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Beaufort students ($16,451 vs. $8,692).

Columbia College vs. USC Beaufort Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College 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 Columbia College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Beaufort (1030) is 30 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming USC Beaufort students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 850/1140; University of South Carolina Beaufort 940/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia College 14/18; University of South Carolina Beaufort 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Test-free; USC Beaufort - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman USC Beaufort students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Columbia College (3.56).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than USC Beaufort (72.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Columbia College vs. 26.1% at USC Beaufort.

Columbia College vs. USC Beaufort Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College 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).

• Columbia College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than University of South Carolina Beaufort's (21%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Beaufort earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,700 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Beaufort graduates have a $790 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($24,474 vs. $25,264).
• Among borrowers, USC Beaufort graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($253 vs. $261).
• More USC Beaufort graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 43%)

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.