Degree Dividend
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Barton College vs Southeastern College-Charlotte: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Wilson NC · vs · Private for-profit, Charlotte NC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Barton College comes closer — median earnings $47,913 against a $94,504 total, vs $31,548 at Southeastern College-Charlotte. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBarton CollegeSoutheastern College-Charlotte
Net price / yr$23,626$30,611
Total net cost$94,504$122,444
Median earnings, 10 yrs$47,913$31,548
Median debt$25,877$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$103,444-$458,684

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

Which is cheaper, Barton College or Southeastern College-Charlotte?

Barton College, at $23,626 a year after aid versus $30,611 — a gap of $6,985 a year, or $27,940 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Barton College or Southeastern College-Charlotte graduates earn more?

Barton College graduates report a median $47,913 ten years after entry, $16,365 more than the $31,548 at Southeastern College-Charlotte. 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, Barton College or Southeastern College-Charlotte?

Southeastern College-Charlotte: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $25,877 at Barton College, a difference of $16,377. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

77% of students finish at Southeastern College-Charlotte, against 46% at Barton College. 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.

Barton College vs Southeastern College-Charlotte: frequently asked questions

Is Barton College or Southeastern College-Charlotte a better value?
Barton College 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, Barton College or Southeastern College-Charlotte?
Barton College: $23,626/yr net price after aid versus $30,611/yr at Southeastern College-Charlotte — a difference of $6,985 a year, or about $27,940 over four years.
Do Barton College or Southeastern College-Charlotte graduates earn more?
Barton College graduates earn a median $47,913 ten years after entry, versus $31,548 at Southeastern College-Charlotte — a $16,365 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.