University of South Carolina Beaufort
- Graduation Rate
- 36% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $48,088 B-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $14,656 C+
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 73% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 21.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $21.2 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $21.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,184,567.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 36% — 36% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $21.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why University of South Carolina Beaufort Matters
University of South Carolina Beaufort is a public college in Bluffton, SC and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate College
- Enrollment
- 2,052
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Psychology, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose University of South Carolina Beaufort
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 73% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $14,656 a year after grants and scholarships — 14% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $48,088 ten years after enrolling — 18% above the typical college, against $24,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.20 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
The University of South Carolina Beaufort is a solid option for students looking for a public university experience in a friendly setting. With an acceptance rate of 73%, it welcomes a diverse group of students, particularly those interested in Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Psychology, Social Sciences, and Biology & Biomedical programs. The smaller enrollment of around 2,052 students allows for a more personalized experience, making it easier for students to connect with faculty and peers.
After graduation, students can expect to earn a median salary of $48,088 ten years down the line. This figure gives a good sense of the potential return on investment, especially considering that 40% of students receive Pell Grants, which can help ease financial burdens. While the graduation rate sits at 36%, those who complete their degrees often see positive outcomes, leading to better job opportunities and career advancement.
In terms of finances, the net price after aid is about $14,656, which is manageable for many families. Graduates leave with a median debt of $24,000, a figure that many find accessible in relation to their earning potential. Students who thrive here often appreciate a close-knit community and a supportive academic environment, making it a good fit for those who value personal connections alongside their studies.
Rankings
- #15 Best Communications Colleges in South Carolina
- #20 Best Biology Colleges in South Carolina
- #21 Best Psychology Colleges in South Carolina
- #23 Best Nursing Colleges in South Carolina
- #26 Most Affordable Colleges in South Carolina
- #26 Best Bachelor's Programs in South Carolina
- #28 Best Master's Programs in South Carolina
- #30 Best Business Colleges in South Carolina
Can I Get In?
How selective University of South Carolina Beaufort is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of South Carolina Beaufort? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
University of South Carolina Beaufort, located in Bluffton, South Carolina, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 73%. The graduation rate is roughly 36%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 73%
- Retention Rate
- 61%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 53%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,392
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.60
- First-Gen Students
- 31%
- Applicants
- 2,479
- Admitted
- 1,984
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of South Carolina Beaufort? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of South Carolina Beaufort is $21,776, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $14,656. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,397 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $10,730
- Out-of-State
- $21,776
- Avg Net Price
- $14,656
- Median Debt
- $24,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 40%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 49%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $11,397
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $10,614
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $13,846
- Family Income $110K+
- $20,250
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at University of South Carolina Beaufort — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of South Carolina Beaufort Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of South Carolina Beaufort earn a median of $48,088, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $39,214
- 8 Years
- $43,141
- 10 Years
- $48,088
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.5x
- Earning > $25K
- 58%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (86)
- 23%
- 100% (86)
- 23%
- 100% (86)
- 23%
- 100% (86)
- 23%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is University of South Carolina Beaufort Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of South Carolina Beaufort delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $14,656/year ($58,624 total). Graduates earn $48,088 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,243,191 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,184,567 (21.2× your investment). The median debt is $24,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 36% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $58,624
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,243,191
- Net Return
- $1,184,567
- ROI Multiple
- 21.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $14,656
- Median Debt
- $24,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 36%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $9,284,476
- Federal Grants
- $1,815,527
- Investment Income
- $2,407
Top Programs
The fields University of South Carolina Beaufort awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 18% $68,105 early-career
- Psychology 18% $33,335 early-career
- Business & Marketing 17% $39,756 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 12% $40,390 early-career
- Humanities 8% $24,394 early-career
- Social Sciences 6% $33,784 early-career
- Communications 3% $32,259 early-career
- Education 3% $41,658 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of South Carolina Beaufort's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of South Carolina Beaufort? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
University of South Carolina Beaufort, located in Bluffton, South Carolina, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 73%. The graduation rate is roughly 36%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of South Carolina Beaufort? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of South Carolina Beaufort is $21,776, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $14,656. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,397 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,000 in federal student loans.
Is University of South Carolina Beaufort Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of South Carolina Beaufort earn a median of $48,088, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is University of South Carolina Beaufort? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of South Carolina Beaufort. Its economic connectedness score is 1.20, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of South Carolina Beaufort.
- Georgia Southwestern State UniversityAmericus, GA · Close peer36% grad $48,757 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- SUNY College at PotsdamPotsdam, NY · Close peer47% grad $47,866 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of Hawaii at HiloHilo, HI · Close peer45% grad $47,856 earn 61% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Texas A&M University-TexarkanaTexarkana, TX · Close peer30% grad $45,515 earn 64% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Southwest Minnesota State UniversityMarshall, MN · Close peer45% grad $51,342 earn 62% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Minot State UniversityMinot, ND · Close peer46% grad $51,759 earn 65% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of South Carolina Beaufort? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of South Carolina Beaufort. Its economic connectedness score is 1.20, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note