Degree Dividend
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Allen University vs University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Columbia SC · vs · Public, Allendale SC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie comes closer — median earnings $31,360 against a $18,458 total, vs $30,497 at Allen University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAllen UniversityUniversity of South Carolina-Salkehatchie
Net price / yr$10,972$9,229
Total net cost$43,888$18,458
Median earnings, 10 yrs$30,497$31,360
Median debt$34,290$11,000
Payback
20-year net return-$401,148-$358,458

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

Which is cheaper, Allen University or University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie?

University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie, at $9,229 a year after aid versus $10,972 — a gap of $1,743 a year, or $25,430 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 University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie graduates earn more?

University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie graduates report a median $31,360 ten years after entry, $863 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 University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie?

University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie: its completers carry a median $11,000 in federal loans versus $34,290 at Allen University, a difference of $23,290. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

30% of students finish at University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie, 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 University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie: frequently asked questions

Is Allen University or University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie a better value?
University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie 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 University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie?
University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie: $9,229/yr net price after aid versus $10,972/yr at Allen University — a difference of $1,743 a year, or about $25,430 over four years.
Do Allen University or University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie graduates earn more?
University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie graduates earn a median $31,360 ten years after entry, versus $30,497 at Allen University — a $863 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.