UM Western vs. USC Beaufort

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Montana Western in Dillon, MT 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 UM Western based on total student enrollment (2,208 students vs. 1,358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Montana Western is located in Dillon, MT (Remote Town setting); University of South Carolina Beaufort is in Bluffton, SC (Distant Rural setting).
• The University of Montana Western 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: The University of Montana Western 16:1; University of South Carolina Beaufort 15:1.

UM Western vs. USC Beaufort Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UM Western 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 UM Western ($15,363 vs. $16,745).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Montana Western are 21.1% lower than at University of South Carolina Beaufort ($10,046 vs. $12,725).
• University of South Carolina Beaufort is 60.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UM Western (about $4,060 more per year; $10,730.00 vs. $6,670.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.2% higher at USC Beaufort than at The University of Montana Western (about $1,646 more per year; $21,776.00 vs. $20,130.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Beaufort than at The University of Montana Western (88% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Carolina Beaufort students is 81.3% larger than aid received by The University of Montana Western students ($8,692 vs. $4,794).

UM Western vs. USC Beaufort Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UM Western 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 UM Western.

• The University of Montana Western reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Beaufort (1030) is 20 points higher than at UM Western (1010).
• Incoming USC Beaufort students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 18 at UM Western).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Montana Western 890/1120; University of South Carolina Beaufort 940/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Montana Western 16/21; University of South Carolina Beaufort 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UM Western - Open admission; USC Beaufort - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman USC Beaufort students have a 0.62 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at UM Western (3.2).
• UM Western has a higher acceptance rate (99.8%) than USC Beaufort (72.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.5% at UM Western vs. 26.1% at USC Beaufort.

UM Western vs. USC Beaufort Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UM Western 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).

• The University of Montana Western's six-year graduation rate (31%) is higher than University of South Carolina Beaufort's (21%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Beaufort earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than UM Western graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,700 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Montana Western graduates have a $3,545 lower median loan debt than USC Beaufort graduates ($20,929 vs. $24,474).
• Among borrowers, UM Western graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC Beaufort graduates ($216 vs. $253).
• More UM Western graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC Beaufort students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.