Degree Dividend
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Claflin University vs Benedict College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Orangeburg SC · vs · Private nonprofit, Columbia SC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Claflin University comes closer — median earnings $40,304 against a $71,200 total, vs $31,902 at Benedict College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureClaflin UniversityBenedict College
Net price / yr$17,800$18,250
Total net cost$71,200$73,000
Median earnings, 10 yrs$40,304$31,902
Median debt$29,000$32,500
Payback
20-year net return-$232,320-$402,160

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

Which is cheaper, Claflin University or Benedict College?

Claflin University, at $17,800 a year after aid versus $18,250 — a gap of $450 a year, or $1,800 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Claflin University or Benedict College graduates earn more?

Claflin University graduates report a median $40,304 ten years after entry, $8,402 more than the $31,902 at Benedict 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, Claflin University or Benedict College?

Claflin University: its completers carry a median $29,000 in federal loans versus $32,500 at Benedict College, a difference of $3,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

52% of students finish at Claflin University, 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.

Claflin University vs Benedict College: frequently asked questions

Is Claflin University or Benedict College a better value?
Claflin 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, Claflin University or Benedict College?
Claflin University: $17,800/yr net price after aid versus $18,250/yr at Benedict College — a difference of $450 a year, or about $1,800 over four years.
Do Claflin University or Benedict College graduates earn more?
Claflin University graduates earn a median $40,304 ten years after entry, versus $31,902 at Benedict College — a $8,402 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.