AU vs. USC Beaufort

Comparable Facts

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

Anderson University is larger than USC Beaufort based on total student enrollment (4,710 students vs. 2,208 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Anderson University is located in Anderson, SC (Small City setting); University of South Carolina Beaufort is in Bluffton, SC (Distant Rural setting).
• Anderson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Beaufort is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Anderson University 13:1; University of South Carolina Beaufort 15:1.

AU vs. USC Beaufort Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or USC Beaufort? 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 AU ($15,363 vs. $24,434).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Anderson University are 0% lower than at University of South Carolina Beaufort ($12,720 vs. $12,725).
• Anderson University is 225.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Beaufort (about $24,240 more per year; $34,970.00 vs. $10,730.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.6% higher at AU than at University of South Carolina Beaufort (about $13,194 more per year; $34,970.00 vs. $21,776.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Anderson University than at University of South Carolina Beaufort (98% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Anderson University students is 198.8% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Beaufort students ($25,969 vs. $8,692).

AU vs. USC Beaufort Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Anderson University (1190) is 160 points higher than at USC Beaufort (1030).
• Incoming AU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 19 at USC Beaufort).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Anderson University 1100/1280; University of South Carolina Beaufort 940/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Anderson University 22/29; University of South Carolina Beaufort 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; USC Beaufort - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman USC Beaufort students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at AU (3.72).
• USC Beaufort has a higher acceptance rate (72.5%) than AU (54.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 32.5% at AU vs. 26.1% at USC Beaufort.

AU vs. USC Beaufort Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Anderson University's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than University of South Carolina Beaufort's (21%).
• Graduates from Anderson University earn a median of about $800 more per year than USC Beaufort graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,500 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Beaufort graduates have a $2,388 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($24,474 vs. $26,862).
• Among borrowers, USC Beaufort graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($253 vs. $277).
• More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC Beaufort students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.