Lander University vs. USC Beaufort

Comparable Facts

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

Lander University is larger than USC Beaufort based on total student enrollment (4,378 students vs. 2,208 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lander University is located in Greenwood, SC (Distant Town setting); University of South Carolina Beaufort is in Bluffton, SC (Distant Rural setting).
• Lander 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: Lander University 18:1; University of South Carolina Beaufort 15:1.

Lander University vs. USC Beaufort Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lander University 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 Lander University ($15,363 vs. $15,520).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lander University are 4.9% lower than at University of South Carolina Beaufort ($12,100 vs. $12,725).
• Lander University is 9% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Beaufort (about $970 more per year; $11,700.00 vs. $10,730.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at USC Beaufort than at Lander University (about $476 more per year; $21,776.00 vs. $21,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lander University than at University of South Carolina Beaufort (99% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lander University students is 40.7% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Beaufort students ($12,232 vs. $8,692).

Lander University vs. USC Beaufort Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lander University 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 Lander University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lander University (1060) is 30 points higher than at USC Beaufort (1030).
• Incoming Lander University 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: Lander University 950/1178; University of South Carolina Beaufort 940/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lander University 16/23; University of South Carolina Beaufort 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lander University - Test optional; USC Beaufort - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman USC Beaufort students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Lander University (3.66).
• Lander University has a higher acceptance rate (81.3%) than USC Beaufort (72.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.7% at Lander University vs. 26.1% at USC Beaufort.

Lander University vs. USC Beaufort Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lander University 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).

• Lander University's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than University of South Carolina Beaufort's (21%).
• Graduates from Lander University earn a median of about $300 more per year than USC Beaufort graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,000 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 Lander University graduates ($24,474 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, USC Beaufort graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lander University graduates ($253 vs. $279).
• More USC Beaufort graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lander University students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 46%)

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.