Record Enrollment and High Rankings at USCB
With fall classes underway, enrollment at the University of South Carolina Beaufort has reached a record high of 2,293 students. This includes 755 first-year and transfer students.
Enrollment at the Lowcountry university has grown more than 12% over the past five years. Since becoming a comprehensive four-year university in 2004, USCB’s enrollment has increased more than 79%.
“We are a young university, so to see this kind of extraordinary growth is a testimony to the quality of our academic programs, career preparation, location and community support,” said Al M. Panu, USCB chancellor.
USCB has also seen a rise in national rankings this fall. In its 2027 Best Colleges guide, U.S. News & World Report ranks USCB No. 7 among Top Public Schools in the South, up from 11th last year. Among all 95 public and private regional colleges in the South, USCB is ranked 30th (tied). It is the second highest-ranked regional college in South Carolina.
U.S. News defines regional colleges as institutions that primarily award career-oriented bachelor’s degrees and often attract local students.
Niche.com continues to rank USCB’s student housing No. 1 in South Carolina and 22nd in the nation. The online platform also gives USCB high marks for value, safety, diversity, athletics and campus food.
Research.com has awarded USCB several accolades, including the 2027 Best Public Health Degree Program in South Carolina. The website named USCB’s Public Health and Nursing programs the most affordable in the state while also selecting Public Health most popular and Nursing most valuable.
- USCB -
JJ 09/22/2026