Beaufort has recently been ranked #10 out of The 50 Best College Towns to Live in Forever by College Ranker. The website provides resources to prospective college students on various aspects of collegiate life and helps students learn more about college and university choices throughout the country.
The #10 ranking lauds the University of South Carolina Beaufort for being one of the top colleges in the South for its beautiful and large campus and its programs in liberal studies, foreign language, and education.
The ranking also mentions Beaufort as being “the quintessential southern town that also has an amazing cultural scene.”
“The city’s claim to fame is serving as the filming location for the iconic classic Forrest Gump,” College Ranker said.
“There is a strong military presence in the area with a Marine Corps recruitment depot, a Marine Corps air station, and a naval hospital.”
The ranking points out that Beaufort has a real advantage when it comes to colleges.
In addition to the University of South Carolina, Beaufort is also home to the Technical College of the Lowcountry, a comprehensive, two-year community college serving the area with affordable tuition rates for folks who call the Lowcountry home.
New to USCB and to the city is the South Coast Cyber Center.
The South Coast Cyber Center launched in 2019 in response to the cybersecurity workforce shortage. Now, the center has a permanent home in Beaufort, South Carolina due to a joint plan between the city government, the University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) and the center itself.
The South Coast Cyber Center aims to train high school students and other interested parties looking to join the cybersecurity workforce. “We believe [the center] will be an economic driver for the city and bring more students to Beaufort,” said City Manager Bill Prokop.
“Expanding access to education in emerging career fields is critically necessary to provide our kids and working adults the opportunity to live and thrive in our region,” said Mayor Stephen Murray, who is on the board of the South Coast Cyber Center.
Being listed as the 10th best out of 50 is a big deal and if you’re looking to further your education, or your child’s education, this puts Beaufort right up there with many of the more popular college towns in the U.S. including Malibu, CA, Athens, GA, Asheville, NC, State College, PA and many more.
