Limestone University vs. USC Beaufort

Comparable Facts

Compare Limestone University in Gaffney, 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 Limestone University based on total student enrollment (2,208 students vs. 1,807 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Limestone University is located in Gaffney, SC (Distant Town setting); University of South Carolina Beaufort is in Bluffton, SC (Distant Rural setting).
• Limestone 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: Limestone University 11:1; University of South Carolina Beaufort 15:1.

Limestone University vs. USC Beaufort Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Limestone 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 Limestone University ($15,363 vs. $19,369).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Limestone University are 11.9% lower than at University of South Carolina Beaufort ($11,210 vs. $12,725).
• Limestone University is 159.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Beaufort (about $17,070 more per year; $27,800.00 vs. $10,730.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.7% higher at Limestone University than at University of South Carolina Beaufort (about $6,024 more per year; $27,800.00 vs. $21,776.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Limestone University than at University of South Carolina Beaufort (96% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Limestone University students is 147.4% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Beaufort students ($21,504 vs. $8,692).

Limestone University vs. USC Beaufort Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Limestone University (1070) is 40 points higher than at USC Beaufort (1030).
• Incoming Limestone University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 19 at USC Beaufort).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Limestone University 980/1160; University of South Carolina Beaufort 940/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Limestone University 19/25; University of South Carolina Beaufort 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Limestone University - Test-free; USC Beaufort - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman USC Beaufort students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Limestone University (3.42).
• Limestone University has a higher acceptance rate (97.3%) than USC Beaufort (72.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.4% at Limestone University vs. 26.1% at USC Beaufort.

Limestone University vs. USC Beaufort Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Limestone 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).

• Limestone University's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than University of South Carolina Beaufort's (21%).
• Graduates from Limestone University earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than USC Beaufort graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,500 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Beaufort graduates have a $2,776 lower median loan debt than Limestone University graduates ($24,474 vs. $27,250).
• Among borrowers, USC Beaufort graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Limestone University graduates ($253 vs. $281).
• More USC Beaufort graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Limestone University students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 36%)

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.