USC Beaufort vs. West Liberty University

Comparable Facts

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

West Liberty University is larger than USC Beaufort based on total student enrollment (2,299 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); West Liberty University is in West Liberty, WV (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of South Carolina Beaufort is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Liberty University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Carolina Beaufort 15:1; West Liberty University 12:1.

USC Beaufort vs. West Liberty University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USC Beaufort or West Liberty 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 West Liberty University than USC Beaufort ($13,655 vs. $15,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Beaufort are 0% lower than at West Liberty University ($12,725 vs. $12,728).
• University of South Carolina Beaufort is 20.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than West Liberty University (about $1,837 more per year; $10,730.00 vs. $8,893.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.8% higher at USC Beaufort than at West Liberty University (about $4,334 more per year; $21,776.00 vs. $17,442.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Beaufort than at West Liberty University (88% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Carolina Beaufort students is 19.9% larger than aid received by West Liberty University students ($8,692 vs. $7,248).

USC Beaufort vs. West Liberty University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USC Beaufort or West Liberty University? 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 West Liberty University and USC Beaufort.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of South Carolina Beaufort (1030) is 20 points higher than at West Liberty University (1010).
• Incoming West Liberty University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (21 vs. 19 at USC Beaufort).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of South Carolina Beaufort 940/1110; West Liberty University 890/1123.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of South Carolina Beaufort 17/22; West Liberty University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USC Beaufort - Test-free; West Liberty University - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman USC Beaufort students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at West Liberty University (3.53).
• West Liberty University has a higher acceptance rate (97.3%) than USC Beaufort (72.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.1% at USC Beaufort vs. 31.5% at West Liberty University.

USC Beaufort vs. West Liberty University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USC Beaufort and West Liberty University? 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.

• West Liberty University's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than University of South Carolina Beaufort's (21%).
• Graduates from West Liberty University earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than USC Beaufort graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,900 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Beaufort graduates have a $143 lower median loan debt than West Liberty University graduates ($24,474 vs. $24,617).
• Among borrowers, USC Beaufort graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than West Liberty University graduates ($253 vs. $254).
• More USC Beaufort graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former West Liberty University 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.