Columbus State vs. USC Beaufort

Comparable Facts

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

Columbus State University is larger than USC Beaufort based on total student enrollment (7,913 students vs. 2,208 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Columbus State vs. USC Beaufort Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbus State 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 Columbus State University than USC Beaufort ($12,420 vs. $15,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbus State University are 7.9% lower than at University of South Carolina Beaufort ($11,720 vs. $12,725).
• University of South Carolina Beaufort is 81.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbus State (about $4,832 more per year; $10,730.00 vs. $5,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.7% higher at USC Beaufort than at Columbus State University (about $4,166 more per year; $21,776.00 vs. $17,610.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbus State University than at University of South Carolina Beaufort (89% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbus State University students is 3.6% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Beaufort students ($9,003 vs. $8,692).

Columbus State vs. USC Beaufort Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbus State 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 Columbus State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Beaufort (1030) is 100 points higher than at Columbus State (930).
• Incoming Columbus State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 19) as students at USC Beaufort (19).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbus State University 800/1060; University of South Carolina Beaufort 940/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbus State University 16/22; University of South Carolina Beaufort 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbus State - Test optional; USC Beaufort - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbus State Jun 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USC Beaufort students have a 0.75 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Columbus State (3.07).
• Columbus State has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than USC Beaufort (72.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at Columbus State vs. 26.1% at USC Beaufort.

Columbus State vs. USC Beaufort Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbus State 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).

• Columbus State University's six-year graduation rate (31%) is higher than University of South Carolina Beaufort's (21%).
• Graduates from Columbus State University earn a median of about $700 more per year than USC Beaufort graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,400 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Beaufort graduates have a $1,526 lower median loan debt than Columbus State graduates ($24,474 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, USC Beaufort graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbus State graduates ($253 vs. $268).
• More USC Beaufort graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbus State students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 37%)

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.