USC Aiken vs. USC Beaufort

Comparable Facts

Compare University of South Carolina Aiken in Aiken, 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 Aiken is larger than USC Beaufort based on total student enrollment (4,022 students vs. 2,208 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Carolina Aiken is located in Aiken, SC (Rural Fringe setting); University of South Carolina Beaufort is in Bluffton, SC (Distant Rural setting).
• University of South Carolina Aiken 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: University of South Carolina Aiken 16:1; University of South Carolina Beaufort 15:1.

USC Aiken vs. USC Beaufort Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USC Aiken 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 Aiken than USC Beaufort ($12,236 vs. $15,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 27.8% lower than at University of South Carolina Beaufort ($9,182 vs. $12,725).
• University of South Carolina Aiken is 0.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Beaufort (about $30 more per year; $10,760.00 vs. $10,730.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.6% higher at USC Beaufort than at University of South Carolina Aiken (about $558 more per year; $21,776.00 vs. $21,218.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Aiken than at University of South Carolina Beaufort (93% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students is 2.4% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Beaufort students ($8,904 vs. $8,692).

USC Aiken vs. USC Beaufort Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USC Aiken or USC Beaufort? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between USC Beaufort and USC Aiken.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of South Carolina Aiken (1100) is 70 points higher than at USC Beaufort (1030).
• Incoming USC Aiken students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (22 vs. 19 at USC Beaufort).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of South Carolina Aiken 980/1220; University of South Carolina Beaufort 940/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of South Carolina Aiken 19/26; University of South Carolina Beaufort 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USC Aiken - Required; USC Beaufort - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman USC Beaufort students have a 0.63 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at USC Aiken (3.19).
• USC Aiken has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than USC Beaufort (72.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.2% at USC Aiken vs. 26.1% at USC Beaufort.

USC Aiken vs. USC Beaufort Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USC Aiken and USC Beaufort? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of South Carolina Aiken's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than University of South Carolina Beaufort's (21%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Aiken earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than USC Beaufort graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,600 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 USC Aiken graduates ($24,474 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, USC Beaufort graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC Aiken graduates ($253 vs. $268).
• More USC Aiken graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC Beaufort students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.