University of South Carolina Beaufort
University of South Carolina Beaufort — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of South Carolina Beaufort at a Glance
The University of South Carolina Beaufort is a public college with three campuses in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina. It is part of the University of South Carolina System, enrolls about 2,000 students, and offers over 50 areas of study. The main campus is in Bluffton. The institution's campus in Beaufort houses the school's honor programs and the Department of Visual Arts & Design. The campus location on Hilton Head Island is home to the institution's program for hospitality management.
1959
67 years old
2,124
96
208 acres
Identity
Is University of South Carolina Beaufort Worth It?
At a value score of 30/100, University of South Carolina Beaufort is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $48,088 — 11% below average — while paying $14,656/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 36% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $24,000 representing 50% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at University of South Carolina Beaufort has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How University of South Carolina Beaufort compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #83 of 109 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | New College of Florida | 100 | $7,195 | $48,082 |
| #5 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #6 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #83 | University of South Carolina Beaufort | 30 | $14,656 | $48,088 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of South Carolina Beaufort's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in SC.
Best Programs at University of South Carolina Beaufort
The highest-earning program at University of South Carolina Beaufort is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $56,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $25,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from University of South Carolina Beaufort earns $56,000, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $25,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $26,250 in median debt vs. $25,000 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $14,656/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $56,000 | $56,000 | $26,250 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $32,700 | $32,700 | $28,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $32,100 | $32,100 | $25,000 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $31,000 | $31,000 | $21,592 |
| Social Sciences, General | $27,900 | $27,900 | $25,500 |
| Psychology, General | $25,200 | $25,200 | $25,000 |
Similar Colleges in SC
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Bluffton, SC
- Student Body
- 2,052 students
- Admission Rate
- 73%
- Graduation Rate
- 36%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $14,656
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $48,088
- Median Student Debt
- $24,000