USC Beaufort vs. Ferrum College

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Beaufort is larger than Ferrum College based on total student enrollment (2,208 students vs. 763 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Carolina Beaufort is located in Bluffton, SC (Distant Rural setting); Ferrum College is in Ferrum, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• University of South Carolina Beaufort is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ferrum College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Carolina Beaufort 15:1; Ferrum College 11:1.

USC Beaufort vs. Ferrum College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USC Beaufort or Ferrum College? 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 Ferrum College ($15,363 vs. $20,082).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Beaufort are 3.8% lower than at Ferrum College ($12,725 vs. $13,230).
• Ferrum College is 165.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Beaufort (about $17,790 more per year; $28,520.00 vs. $10,730.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31% higher at Ferrum College than at University of South Carolina Beaufort (about $6,744 more per year; $28,520.00 vs. $21,776.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ferrum College than at University of South Carolina Beaufort (98% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ferrum College students is 296.3% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Beaufort students ($34,444 vs. $8,692).

USC Beaufort vs. Ferrum College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USC Beaufort or Ferrum College? 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 Ferrum College and USC Beaufort.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Beaufort (1030) is 40 points higher than at Ferrum College (990).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Beaufort 940/1110; Ferrum College 880/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Beaufort 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USC Beaufort - Test-free; Ferrum College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ferrum College Sep 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman USC Beaufort students have a 0.68 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Ferrum College (3.14).
• Ferrum College has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than USC Beaufort (72.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.1% at USC Beaufort vs. 11.5% at Ferrum College.

USC Beaufort vs. Ferrum College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USC Beaufort and Ferrum College? 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).

• Ferrum College's six-year graduation rate (31%) is higher than University of South Carolina Beaufort's (21%).
• Graduates from Ferrum College earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than USC Beaufort graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,000 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Beaufort graduates have a $3,526 lower median loan debt than Ferrum College graduates ($24,474 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, USC Beaufort graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ferrum College graduates ($253 vs. $289).
• More USC Beaufort graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferrum College students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 49%)

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.