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University of South Carolina Beaufort

USC Beaufort

Bluffton, South Carolina 29909

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Tight-knitCollege town

Known for business — excellent value

University of South Carolina Beaufort is a public institution in Bluffton with particular strength in business and health sciences.

A small campus of 2K undergraduates with a 14:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

39% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $48,088 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $15,309.

Established
1959
Mascot
Finnegan
Type
Public college
Conference
NCAA Division II and competes
Division
Division II

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

Plan Your Visit

69%Acceptance
SAT Avg
1,958Students
14:1Student:Faculty
39%Grad Rate
$48,088Earnings 10yr
$15,309Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate69.2%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$10,730
Tuition (out-of-state)$21,776
Room & Board$9,810
Books & Supplies$1,266
Total Cost of Attendance$23,796
Average Net Price$15,309
Median Debt at Graduation$24,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$254

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$11,858
$30–48K$12,806
$48–75K$15,774
$75–110K$18,369
$110K+$19,971

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

50.0%

Median Debt at Grad

$13,750

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

14

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

3

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

2

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

4

Drug Arrests

3

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (25)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

61%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
1,958
Gender Split
67% / 33%
Women / Men
First Generation
31%
Pell Grant Recipients
40%

Race & Ethnicity

White 59%
Black 20%
Hispanic 11%
Asian 1%
Two+ 5%
Int'l 2%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate38.6%
Freshman Retention61.2%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$39,214
10 Years$48,088

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • History In 1795, a preparatory school and college in Beaufort was chartered as the Beaufort College to serve the families of local residents.
  • Classes began in 1802, and the college reached a prominent status in the community during the antebellum period.
  • The college was forced to close in 1861 at the beginning of the Civil War and the Beaufort College building, constructed in 1852, was occupied by the Union forces for use as a hospital.
  • The college building was used by the Freedmen's Bureau during Reconstruction, and it was an elementary school from 1909 to 1959.
  • A branch campus of the University of South Carolina was established in 1959 at the site of the old Beaufort College, but the official opening was delayed by Hurricane Gracie.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

90Average

Estimated from SC state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 0"Sunny days: 240Rainy days: 85

Nearest Cities

Charlottepop. 880K
202 mi(350 min)
Atlantapop. 500K
222 mi(385 min)
Orlandopop. 310K
261 mi(452 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

JAX Jacksonville132 mi
CLT Charlotte201 mi
ATL Atlanta220 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA882 mi · ~25h 29m drive
New York, NY698 mi · ~20h 10m drive
Hartford, CT797 mi · ~23h 1m drive
Providence, RI842 mi · ~24h 19m drive
Albany, NY817 mi · ~23h 36m drive
Syracuse, NY788 mi · ~22h 46m drive
Rochester, NY772 mi · ~22h 18m drive
Buffalo, NY740 mi · ~21h 23m drive
Philadelphia, PA620 mi · ~17h 55m drive
Pittsburgh, PA565 mi · ~16h 19m drive
Harrisburg, PA596 mi · ~17h 13m drive
Newark, NJ694 mi · ~20h 3m drive
Washington, DC507 mi · ~14h 39m drive
Baltimore, MD541 mi · ~15h 38m drive
Atlanta, GA222 mi · ~6h 25m drive
Charlotte, NC202 mi · ~5h 50m drive
Raleigh, NC275 mi · ~7h 57m drive
Miami, FL454 mi · ~13h 7m drive
Orlando, FL261 mi · ~7h 32m drive
Tampa, FL314 mi · ~9h 4m drive
Nashville, TN426 mi · ~12h 18m drive
New Orleans, LA562 mi · ~16h 14m drive
Richmond, VA414 mi · ~11h 58m drive
Chicago, IL756 mi · ~21h 50m drive
Detroit, MI702 mi · ~20h 17m drive
Minneapolis, MN1096 mi · ~31h 40m drive
St. Louis, MO678 mi · ~19h 35m drive
Kansas City, MO895 mi · ~25h 51m drive
Indianapolis, IN591 mi · ~17h 4m drive
Columbus, OH541 mi · ~15h 38m drive
Cleveland, OH637 mi · ~18h 24m drive
Milwaukee, WI832 mi · ~24h 2m drive
Dallas, TX921 mi · ~26h 36m drive
Houston, TX870 mi · ~25h 8m drive
Austin, TX999 mi · ~28h 52m drive
San Antonio, TX1057 mi · ~30h 32m drive
Los Angeles, CA2147 mi · ~62h 1m drive
San Francisco, CA2356 mi · ~68h 4m drive
San Diego, CA2098 mi · ~60h 37m drive
Seattle, WA2396 mi · ~69h 13m drive
Portland, OR2389 mi · ~69h 1m drive
Denver, CO1432 mi · ~41h 22m drive
Phoenix, AZ1800 mi · ~52h drive
Salt Lake City, UT1802 mi · ~52h 3m drive
Honolulu, HI4706 mi · ~135h 57m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

University of South Carolina Beaufort Application Checklist

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