Degree Dividend
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Allen University vs Southeastern College-Columbia: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Columbia SC · vs · Private for-profit, Columbia SC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Allen University comes closer — median earnings $30,497 against a $43,888 total, vs $31,156 at Southeastern College-Columbia. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAllen UniversitySoutheastern College-Columbia
Net price / yr$10,972$31,941
Total net cost$43,888$127,764
Median earnings, 10 yrs$30,497$31,156
Median debt$34,290$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$401,148-$471,844

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Allen University or Southeastern College-Columbia?

Allen University, at $10,972 a year after aid versus $31,941 — a gap of $20,969 a year, or $83,876 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Allen University or Southeastern College-Columbia graduates earn more?

Southeastern College-Columbia graduates report a median $31,156 ten years after entry, $659 more than the $30,497 at Allen University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Allen University or Southeastern College-Columbia?

Southeastern College-Columbia: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $34,290 at Allen University, a difference of $24,790. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

67% of students finish at Southeastern College-Columbia, against 13% at Allen University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Allen University vs Southeastern College-Columbia: frequently asked questions

Is Allen University or Southeastern College-Columbia a better value?
Allen University comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Allen University or Southeastern College-Columbia?
Allen University: $10,972/yr net price after aid versus $31,941/yr at Southeastern College-Columbia — a difference of $20,969 a year, or about $83,876 over four years.
Do Allen University or Southeastern College-Columbia graduates earn more?
Southeastern College-Columbia graduates earn a median $31,156 ten years after entry, versus $30,497 at Allen University — a $659 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.