Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Bluffton, South Carolina
69.2% Acceptance Rate
University of South Carolina Beaufort — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
69.2%Acceptance Rate
3.82Avg GPA
1025Avg SAT
$23,796Annual Cost
$48,088Grad Salary
40.3%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
69.2%
Avg GPA
3.82
Avg SAT
1025
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
985–1055
Avg Net Price
$15,309
Need-Based Aid
40.3% receive Pell
University of South Carolina Beaufort is a public, regional campus of the University of South Carolina known for its commitment to academic excellence, personalized attention, and regional service. Providing a high-value educational experience in a supportive, community-focused setting, the university offers a variety of undergraduate degree programs. Its focus on preparing students for professional and academic success makes it a reliable and high-value choice for those seeking a respected, career-oriented degree.
University of South Carolina Beaufort Acceptance Rate
University of South Carolina Beaufort is moderately selective — 69.2% of applicants are admitted — with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What USC Beaufort Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 69.2% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.82 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.62 – 3.81
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.37
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of South Carolina Beaufort Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
University of South Carolina Beaufort follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
USC Beaufort reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (2026/02/01 (Freshman scholarship priority)) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
USC Beaufort GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at USC Beaufort is 3.82. That makes admissions here extremely selective. Most admitted students carry straight A's, with very little room for a B.
If your GPA sits between 3.52 and 3.82, a high SAT or ACT score is the most reliable way to compensate.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently — for an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 4.02–4.22.USC Beaufort GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective; GPA is within the typical admitted range.
Recommended Strategy: Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT) in the top 5th percentile.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.82 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.62 – 3.81
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.42 – 3.61
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.41
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- USCB is a three-campus institution (Bluffton, Beaufort, Hilton Head Island) within the University of South Carolina System, distinct from the USC Columbia flagship campus.
- The Hospitality, Resort and Tourism Management B.S. is offered only at the Hilton Head Island campus, with internships at island resorts.
- Beaufort College Honors residency requirements (1, 2, or 4 years on the Beaufort campus) vary by major, with distinct scholarship terms for in-state versus out-of-state students.
- Admission is test-optional for the 2025?26 cycle, but SAT/ACT scores remain required for South Carolina state scholarships such as LIFE and Palmetto Fellows.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at USC Beaufort
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of South Carolina Beaufort's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of South Carolina Beaufort (USC Beaufort) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if USC Beaufort is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into USC Beaufort Without SAT or ACT?
USC Beaufort neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average — otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
University of South Carolina Beaufort Average SAT Score: 1025
The average SAT score of admitted students at University of South Carolina Beaufort is 1025 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1025 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1055 SAT) to stand out. Below average? University of South Carolina Beaufort allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 985, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at USC Beaufort. Retaking multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1025 | 985 | 1055 |
Below 985, you're behind most admitted students; at 1055 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1050
Can I get into University of South Carolina Beaufort (USC Beaufort) with a 1050 SAT?
A 1050 SAT puts you ahead of most of USC Beaufort's admitted class — but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for USC Beaufort
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
USC Beaufort takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Map Your Major to the Right Campus Before You Apply
USCB operates three distinct campuses - Bluffton (main), Beaufort (Honors program and Visual Arts & Design), and Hilton Head Island (home to the Hospitality, Resort and Tourism Management program with resort-based internships). If your intended major is hospitality, confirm you're planning around the Hilton Head location specifically, since it's not offered at Bluffton - USCB's campus structure means "getting in" doesn't tell you where you'll actually be living and studying.
Understand the Beaufort College Honors Residency Requirement by Major
If admitted to Beaufort College Honors (BCH), your required years living on the historic Beaufort riverfront campus depend on your major: four years for Marine Biology, History, and Visual Art & Design; two years for Biology and Nursing; one year for other majors before transitioning to Bluffton. South Carolina residents receive $2,000/year through the BCH Scholarship, and out-of-state students get the in-state tuition rate plus $500/year - but note Georgia's reciprocity counties (Bryan, Chatham, Effingham) are excluded from this specific out-of-state benefit.
Submit Test Scores Anyway If You Want South Carolina State Scholarship Money
USCB doesn't require SAT/ACT scores for admission in the 2025?26 cycle, but South Carolina's own state scholarships - including LIFE and Palmetto Fellows - still require them. Don't skip testing just because USCB's application doesn't demand it; submit scores anyway if you want to be considered for state-funded aid, since admission and state scholarship eligibility run on separate rules.
Audit Your Transcript Against USCB's Specific 20-Unit College Prep Curriculum
USCB requires a College Preparatory Curriculum with a minimum 2.0 core GPA across 20 specific units, including four units of English with defined literature, writing, and research components, and four units of math covering Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry specifically. A generally strong GPA isn't sufficient if your specific coursework doesn't match this unit distribution - check your transcript against the exact list before senior year so you can add a missing unit if needed.
Expert Insight:
Families frequently treat "test-optional" as "tests don't matter" and skip the SAT/ACT entirely - only to discover after admission that South Carolina's LIFE Scholarship and Palmetto Fellows, which can be worth substantially more than any USCB institutional aid, require test scores USCB's own application never asked for.
USC Beaufort Profile
Full Name
University of South Carolina Beaufort (USC Beaufort)
City
Bluffton
State
South Carolina
ZIP Code
29909
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a USC Beaufort Degree Worth It?
Whether USC Beaufort is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
The average household income among admitted students is $60,300, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.68%.
How much does a degree from USC Beaufort Cost?
The sticker price is $23,796/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is closer to $15,309.
40.3% of students receive a Pell Grant and 49.6% take federal loans at USC Beaufort — file your FAFSA early and list USC Beaufort as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a USC Beaufort Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $48,088 — about 18% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of South Carolina Beaufort. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama State University | Montgomery, AL | 977 | 18 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1014 | 20 |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | 1005 | 22 |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | 985 | NA |
| Delaware State University | Dover, DE | 984 | 24 |
| Trinity Baptist College | Jacksonville, FL | 1007 | 20 |
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | Tifton, GA | 994 | 19 |
| College of Coastal Georgia | Brunswick, GA | 1001 | 18 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of South Carolina Beaufort. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge, AR | 1018 | 19 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of South Carolina Beaufort. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
Degree Programs at USC Beaufort
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About USC Beaufort Admissions
Median earnings for University of South Carolina Beaufort graduates sit around $48,088 a year.
At about $23,796 a year, University of South Carolina Beaufort is on the more affordable end.
About 40.3% receive a Pell Grant at University of South Carolina Beaufort — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 69.2%, University of South Carolina Beaufort's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at University of South Carolina Beaufort average a 3.82 GPA.
University of South Carolina Beaufort doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.52 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.42, University of South Carolina Beaufort becomes a harder reach — though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at University of South Carolina Beaufort — aim above 1025, ideally within the 985–1055 range admitted students typically fall in.
University of South Carolina Beaufort follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is 2026/02/01 (Freshman scholarship priority). Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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