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Bob Jones University vs Columbia International University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Greenville SC · vs · Private nonprofit, Columbia SC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Bob Jones University comes closer — median earnings $44,354 against a $66,564 total, vs $38,951 at Columbia International University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBob Jones UniversityColumbia International University
Net price / yr$16,641$26,036
Total net cost$66,564$104,144
Median earnings, 10 yrs$44,354$38,951
Median debt$16,585$20,000
Payback
20-year net return-$146,684-$292,324

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

Which is cheaper, Bob Jones University or Columbia International University?

Bob Jones University, at $16,641 a year after aid versus $26,036 — a gap of $9,395 a year, or $37,580 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Bob Jones University or Columbia International University graduates earn more?

Bob Jones University graduates report a median $44,354 ten years after entry, $5,403 more than the $38,951 at Columbia International 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, Bob Jones University or Columbia International University?

Bob Jones University: its completers carry a median $16,585 in federal loans versus $20,000 at Columbia International University, a difference of $3,415. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

65% of students finish at Bob Jones University, against 47% at Columbia International 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.

Bob Jones University vs Columbia International University: frequently asked questions

Is Bob Jones University or Columbia International University a better value?
Bob Jones 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, Bob Jones University or Columbia International University?
Bob Jones University: $16,641/yr net price after aid versus $26,036/yr at Columbia International University — a difference of $9,395 a year, or about $37,580 over four years.
Do Bob Jones University or Columbia International University graduates earn more?
Bob Jones University graduates earn a median $44,354 ten years after entry, versus $38,951 at Columbia International University — a $5,403 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.