College of Charleston vs University of South Carolina-Upstate: which has better ROI?
College of Charleston has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $75,840 in 9.4 years versus 238.9 years at University of South Carolina-Upstate, on median earnings of $56,416 vs $48,587 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | College of Charleston | University of South Carolina-Upstate |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,960 | $13,557 |
| Total net cost | $75,840 | $54,228 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $56,416 | $48,587 |
| Median debt | $23,250 | $22,310 |
| Payback | 9.4 yrs | 238.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $85,280 | -$49,688 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, College of Charleston or University of South Carolina-Upstate?
University of South Carolina-Upstate, at $13,557 a year after aid versus $18,960 — a gap of $5,403 a year, or $21,612 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do College of Charleston or University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates earn more?
College of Charleston graduates report a median $56,416 ten years after entry, $7,829 more than the $48,587 at University of South Carolina-Upstate. 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, College of Charleston or University of South Carolina-Upstate?
University of South Carolina-Upstate: its completers carry a median $22,310 in federal loans versus $23,250 at College of Charleston, a difference of $940. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
66% of students finish at College of Charleston, against 43% at University of South Carolina-Upstate. 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.