USC Beaufort vs. Bluefield State University

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Beaufort is larger than Bluefield State University based on total student enrollment (2,208 students vs. 1,141 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Carolina Beaufort is located in Bluffton, SC (Distant Rural setting); Bluefield State University is in Bluefield, WV (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of South Carolina Beaufort is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bluefield State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Carolina Beaufort 15:1; Bluefield State University 13:1.

USC Beaufort vs. Bluefield State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USC Beaufort or Bluefield State University? 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 Bluefield State University ($15,363 vs. $15,814).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluefield State University are 9.5% lower than at University of South Carolina Beaufort ($11,512 vs. $12,725).
• University of South Carolina Beaufort is 0.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bluefield State University (about $82 more per year; $10,730.00 vs. $10,648.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.5% higher at USC Beaufort than at Bluefield State University (about $3,400 more per year; $21,776.00 vs. $18,376.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bluefield State University than at University of South Carolina Beaufort (97% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bluefield State University students is 12.9% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Beaufort students ($9,814 vs. $8,692).

USC Beaufort vs. Bluefield State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USC Beaufort or Bluefield State University? 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 Bluefield State University and USC Beaufort.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Beaufort (1030) is 50 points higher than at Bluefield State University (980).
• Incoming USC Beaufort students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 19) as students at Bluefield State University (19).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Beaufort 940/1110; Bluefield State University 870/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Beaufort 17/22; Bluefield State University 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USC Beaufort - Test-free; Bluefield State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bluefield State University Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USC Beaufort students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Bluefield State University (3.41).
• Bluefield State University has a higher acceptance rate (97.2%) than USC Beaufort (72.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.1% at USC Beaufort vs. 32.8% at Bluefield State University.

USC Beaufort vs. Bluefield State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USC Beaufort and Bluefield State University? 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).

• Bluefield State University's six-year graduation rate (22%) is higher than University of South Carolina Beaufort's (21%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Beaufort earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than Bluefield State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,700 vs. $31,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bluefield State University graduates have a $5,474 lower median loan debt than USC Beaufort graduates ($19,000 vs. $24,474).
• Among borrowers, Bluefield State University graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC Beaufort graduates ($196 vs. $253).
• More USC Beaufort graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bluefield State University students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 30%)

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.