University of South Carolina Beaufort
Bluffton, South Carolina · Public · 72.5% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 34/100 · Poor Value
USC Beaufort, a public regional campus in Bluffton, South Carolina (near Hilton Head), posts a Poor Value ROI score of 34/100. The composite is dragged hard by the 34% completion rate - one of the lowest in the SC public system - and a 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio. Median earnings six years after entry are $33,800, climbing to $48,088 by year ten. Tuition is $10,730 in-state, the average net price is $14,656, and four-year cost is roughly $58,624. Median federal debt of $24,000 produces a 15.2-year payback period. The 66.2% three-year repayment rate is modest. USC Beaufort's Nursing program (40 grads, B ROI grade, $64,671 first-year earnings) is the school's clearest value proposition, while its larger Psychology and Social Sciences cohorts produce F-grade ROI. The school's coastal location near Hilton Head supports a Hospitality Administration program (32 grads, C grade) that fits the local tourism economy.
The data raises concerns about University of South Carolina Beaufort
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score34/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- 6-year graduation rate34.0% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
- Payback period15.2 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
University of South Carolina Beaufort
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $10,730/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $21,776/yr |
| Average net price | $14,656/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $58,624 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $48,088 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $33,800 |
| Median debt at graduation | $24,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $254 |
| Estimated payback period | 15.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 34.0% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,052 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of South Carolina Beaufort is $10,730/year ($21,776/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $14,656/year, or roughly $58,624 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $11,397/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $20,250/year.
The median graduate leaves with $24,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $254 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $48,088 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.71 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,397 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,614 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,846 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $19,001 |
| $110,001+ | $20,250 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $11,397 net per year, which is curiously higher than the $30,001-$48,000 bracket at $10,614 - an inverted-bracket anomaly. The pattern likely reflects Pell stacking quirks or sample noise. Four-year out-of-pocket near $45K is reasonable for in-state SC residents.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-$75,000 bracket pays $13,846 and $75,001-$110,000 pays $19,001. The cost ramp is reasonable, and middle-income families pay roughly $55K-$76K over four years. The math works for in-state students targeting Nursing.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Households above $110,000 pay $20,250 per year, $81,000 over four years. For SC full-pay families this remains a relatively low-cost path, though Coastal Carolina, College of Charleston, or even out-of-state alternatives with merit aid may offer better value.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of South Carolina Beaufort with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $56,852 | C |
| Psychology | $50,776 | F |
| Registered Nursing | $70,311 | B |
| Biology | $45,680 | D |
| Hospitality Administration | $45,953 | C |
| Public Health | $33,628 | D |
| Social Sciences, General | $44,888 | F |
| Communication and Media Studies | $49,545 | F |
| Teacher Education | $47,705 | C |
| Computational Science | $43,834 | - |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration (53 grads) earns a C ROI grade. First-year earnings of $42,816 climb to $56,852 by year four with $27,000 of median debt producing a 0.631 ratio. The Hilton Head/Bluffton labor market supports placement into hospitality management, healthcare administration, and small-business operations.
Psychology
Psychology (53 grads) earns an F ROI grade. First-year earnings of just $25,523 against $27,000 of median debt produce a 1.058 debt-to-earnings ratio. Four-year earnings of $50,776 reflect graduates who continue to graduate study. The terminal-bachelor's Psychology pipeline in coastal SC is weak.
Registered Nursing
Nursing (40 grads) is USC Beaufort's flagship: B ROI grade, $64,671 in first-year earnings rising to $70,311 by year four, $27,000 of debt for a 0.417 ratio. The growing Hilton Head and Beaufort healthcare market supports strong placement at Beaufort Memorial, Hilton Head Hospital, and Savannah-area health systems.
Biology
Biology (37 grads) earns a D ROI grade. First-year earnings of $32,212 against $26,000 of median debt produce a 0.807 ratio. Four-year earnings of $45,680 are modest and reflect the typical bachelor's-terminal Biology outcome without graduate study.
Hospitality Administration
Hospitality Administration (32 grads) earns a C ROI grade. First-year earnings of $34,503 climb to $45,953 by year four with $23,989 of debt for a 0.695 ratio. The local Hilton Head/Beaufort tourism industry provides direct internship-to-employment pipelines, particularly at large resort properties. This is the program that fits the school's geographic location best.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 59.3% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 66.2% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 59.2% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 55.8% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 72.5% |
| Enrollment | 2,052 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 40.1% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,392 |
USC Beaufort admits 72.5% of applicants and does not report SAT or ACT mid-ranges in current Scorecard data, having moved test-optional. The high admit rate combined with the 34% completion rate signals significant academic-readiness variance. Students intending to pursue Nursing or Teacher Education tend to have stronger preparation and persist at higher rates than the school-wide average.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
USC Beaufort's peer set is uneven: College of Charleston is far more selective and produces materially better ROI; Citadel is a specialized military college. The more legitimate structural peers are Montana State Billings, Missouri Western State, and SUNY Potsdam - all small regional publics with modest earnings and middling completion rates. Within the SC public system, the closest comparison would be USC Aiken or Coastal Carolina; both outperform USC Beaufort on completion and earnings.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Carolina Beaufort (this school) | 34 | $14,656 | $48,088 |
| Citadel Military College of South Carolina | 85 | $20,723 | $72,085 |
| College of Charleston | 57 | $18,960 | $56,416 |
| SUNY College at Potsdam | 35 | $13,624 | $47,866 |
| Montana State University Billings | 34 | $16,524 | $44,296 |
| Missouri Western State University | 29 | $13,251 | $42,647 |
Who Thrives Here
Pell rate of 40.1% and enrollment of 2,052 mark USC Beaufort as a small, mid-income leaning regional public. The school fits Lowcountry South Carolina students who want to stay near Beaufort, Hilton Head, or Savannah while pursuing a bachelor's. Strongest fit: Nursing students who can leverage clinical placements at Beaufort Memorial or Hilton Head Hospital, plus Hospitality Administration students entering the local tourism industry. Students declared in Psychology or Social Sciences face the school's weakest ROI outcomes.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about University of South Carolina Beaufort. With a net cost of $14,656 per year and median graduate earnings of only $48,088 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 15.2 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include a 34.0% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $24,000 against $48,088 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.