Bob Jones University vs Spartanburg Methodist College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Spartanburg Methodist College comes closer — median earnings $42,895 against a $29,160 total, vs $44,354 at Bob Jones University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Bob Jones University | Spartanburg Methodist College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,641 | $14,580 |
| Total net cost | $66,564 | $29,160 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $44,354 | $42,895 |
| Median debt | $16,585 | $12,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$146,684 | -$138,460 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Bob Jones University or Spartanburg Methodist College?
Spartanburg Methodist College, at $14,580 a year after aid versus $16,641 — a gap of $2,061 a year, or $37,404 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 Spartanburg Methodist College graduates earn more?
Bob Jones University graduates report a median $44,354 ten years after entry, $1,459 more than the $42,895 at Spartanburg Methodist 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, Bob Jones University or Spartanburg Methodist College?
Spartanburg Methodist College: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $16,585 at Bob Jones University, a difference of $4,585. 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 43% at Spartanburg Methodist 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.