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Bob Jones University vs Southeastern College-Columbia: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Greenville SC · vs · Private for-profit, 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 $31,156 at Southeastern College-Columbia. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBob Jones UniversitySoutheastern College-Columbia
Net price / yr$16,641$31,941
Total net cost$66,564$127,764
Median earnings, 10 yrs$44,354$31,156
Median debt$16,585$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$146,684-$471,844

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

Which is cheaper, Bob Jones University or Southeastern College-Columbia?

Bob Jones University, at $16,641 a year after aid versus $31,941 — a gap of $15,300 a year, or $61,200 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 Southeastern College-Columbia graduates earn more?

Bob Jones University graduates report a median $44,354 ten years after entry, $13,198 more than the $31,156 at Southeastern College-Columbia. 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 Southeastern College-Columbia?

Southeastern College-Columbia: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $16,585 at Bob Jones University, a difference of $7,085. 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-Columbia, against 65% at Bob Jones 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 Southeastern College-Columbia: frequently asked questions

Is Bob Jones University or Southeastern College-Columbia 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 Southeastern College-Columbia?
Bob Jones University: $16,641/yr net price after aid versus $31,941/yr at Southeastern College-Columbia — a difference of $15,300 a year, or about $61,200 over four years.
Do Bob Jones University or Southeastern College-Columbia graduates earn more?
Bob Jones University graduates earn a median $44,354 ten years after entry, versus $31,156 at Southeastern College-Columbia — a $13,198 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.