Benedict College vs South University-Columbia: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but South University-Columbia comes closer — median earnings $34,421 against a $110,772 total, vs $31,902 at Benedict College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Benedict College | South University-Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,250 | $27,693 |
| Total net cost | $73,000 | $110,772 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $31,902 | $34,421 |
| Median debt | $32,500 | $26,123 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$402,160 | -$389,552 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Benedict College or South University-Columbia?
Benedict College, at $18,250 a year after aid versus $27,693 — a gap of $9,443 a year, or $37,772 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Benedict College or South University-Columbia graduates earn more?
South University-Columbia graduates report a median $34,421 ten years after entry, $2,519 more than the $31,902 at Benedict College. 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, Benedict College or South University-Columbia?
South University-Columbia: its completers carry a median $26,123 in federal loans versus $32,500 at Benedict College, a difference of $6,377. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
24% of students finish at Benedict College, against 23% at South University-Columbia. 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.