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Benedict College vs Southeastern College-Charleston: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Benedict College comes closer — median earnings $31,902 against a $73,000 total, vs $30,737 at Southeastern College-Charleston. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBenedict CollegeSoutheastern College-Charleston
Net price / yr$18,250$31,105
Total net cost$73,000$124,420
Median earnings, 10 yrs$31,902$30,737
Median debt$32,500$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$402,160-$476,880

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

Which is cheaper, Benedict College or Southeastern College-Charleston?

Benedict College, at $18,250 a year after aid versus $31,105 — a gap of $12,855 a year, or $51,420 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 Southeastern College-Charleston graduates earn more?

Benedict College graduates report a median $31,902 ten years after entry, $1,165 more than the $30,737 at Southeastern College-Charleston. 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 Southeastern College-Charleston?

Southeastern College-Charleston: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $32,500 at Benedict College, a difference of $23,000. 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-Charleston, against 24% at Benedict 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.

Benedict College vs Southeastern College-Charleston: frequently asked questions

Is Benedict College or Southeastern College-Charleston a better value?
Benedict 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, Benedict College or Southeastern College-Charleston?
Benedict College: $18,250/yr net price after aid versus $31,105/yr at Southeastern College-Charleston — a difference of $12,855 a year, or about $51,420 over four years.
Do Benedict College or Southeastern College-Charleston graduates earn more?
Benedict College graduates earn a median $31,902 ten years after entry, versus $30,737 at Southeastern College-Charleston — a $1,165 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.