USC Beaufort vs. RU

Comparable Facts

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

Radford University is larger than USC Beaufort based on total student enrollment (7,812 students vs. 2,208 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Carolina Beaufort is located in Bluffton, SC (Distant Rural setting); Radford University is in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting).
• University of South Carolina Beaufort is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Carolina Beaufort 15:1; Radford University 14:1.

USC Beaufort vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USC Beaufort or RU? 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 RU ($15,363 vs. $16,749).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Radford University are 1.7% lower than at University of South Carolina Beaufort ($12,504 vs. $12,725).
• Radford University is 16.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Beaufort (about $1,818 more per year; $12,548.00 vs. $10,730.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.7% higher at RU than at University of South Carolina Beaufort (about $3,857 more per year; $25,633.00 vs. $21,776.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Radford University than at University of South Carolina Beaufort (94% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Radford University students is 36.6% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Beaufort students ($11,870 vs. $8,692).

USC Beaufort vs. RU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Radford University (1050) is 20 points higher than at USC Beaufort (1030).
• Incoming RU 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: University of South Carolina Beaufort 940/1110; Radford University 940/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Beaufort 17/22; Radford University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USC Beaufort - Test-free; RU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman USC Beaufort students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at RU (3.31).
• RU has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than USC Beaufort (72.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.1% at USC Beaufort vs. 14.4% at RU.

USC Beaufort vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USC Beaufort and RU? 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).

• Radford University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than University of South Carolina Beaufort's (21%).
• Graduates from Radford University earn a median of about $10,700 more per year than USC Beaufort graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Radford University graduates have a $1,474 lower median loan debt than USC Beaufort graduates ($23,000 vs. $24,474).
• Among borrowers, RU graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC Beaufort graduates ($237 vs. $253).
• More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC Beaufort students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.