USC Beaufort vs. UofSC

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Columbia is larger than USC Beaufort based on total student enrollment (38,532 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); University of South Carolina Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• University of South Carolina Beaufort is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Carolina Beaufort 15:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

USC Beaufort vs. UofSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USC Beaufort or UofSC? 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 UofSC ($15,363 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Beaufort are 6% lower than at University of South Carolina Columbia ($12,725 vs. $13,534).
• University of South Carolina Columbia is 18.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Beaufort (about $1,958 more per year; $12,688.00 vs. $10,730.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.2% higher at UofSC than at University of South Carolina Beaufort (about $14,196 more per year; $35,972.00 vs. $21,776.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Columbia than at University of South Carolina Beaufort (91% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Carolina Beaufort students is 21.8% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($8,692 vs. $7,139).

USC Beaufort vs. UofSC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Columbia (1270) is 240 points higher than at USC Beaufort (1030).
• Incoming UofSC students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 19 at USC Beaufort).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Beaufort 940/1110; University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Beaufort 17/22; University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USC Beaufort - Test-free; UofSC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman USC Beaufort students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at UofSC (3.69).
• USC Beaufort has a higher acceptance rate (72.5%) than UofSC (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.1% at USC Beaufort vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

USC Beaufort vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of South Carolina Columbia's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than University of South Carolina Beaufort's (21%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of about $15,000 more per year than USC Beaufort graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Columbia graduates have a $1,224 lower median loan debt than USC Beaufort graduates ($23,250 vs. $24,474).
• Among borrowers, UofSC graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC Beaufort graduates ($240 vs. $253).
• More UofSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC Beaufort students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.