Degree Dividend
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Charleston Southern University vs Bob Jones University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Charleston SC · vs · Private nonprofit, Greenville SC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Charleston Southern University comes closer — median earnings $45,898 against a $86,664 total, vs $44,354 at Bob Jones University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCharleston Southern UniversityBob Jones University
Net price / yr$21,666$16,641
Total net cost$86,664$66,564
Median earnings, 10 yrs$45,898$44,354
Median debt$26,471$16,585
Payback
20-year net return-$135,904-$146,684

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

Which is cheaper, Charleston Southern University or Bob Jones University?

Bob Jones University, at $16,641 a year after aid versus $21,666 — a gap of $5,025 a year, or $20,100 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Charleston Southern University or Bob Jones University graduates earn more?

Charleston Southern University graduates report a median $45,898 ten years after entry, $1,544 more than the $44,354 at Bob Jones 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, Charleston Southern University or Bob Jones University?

Bob Jones University: its completers carry a median $16,585 in federal loans versus $26,471 at Charleston Southern University, a difference of $9,886. 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 Charleston Southern 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.

Charleston Southern University vs Bob Jones University: frequently asked questions

Is Charleston Southern University or Bob Jones University a better value?
Charleston Southern 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, Charleston Southern University or Bob Jones University?
Bob Jones University: $16,641/yr net price after aid versus $21,666/yr at Charleston Southern University — a difference of $5,025 a year, or about $20,100 over four years.
Do Charleston Southern University or Bob Jones University graduates earn more?
Charleston Southern University graduates earn a median $45,898 ten years after entry, versus $44,354 at Bob Jones University — a $1,544 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.