Degree Dividend
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Fortis College-Columbia vs Allen University: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Columbia SC · vs · Private nonprofit, Columbia SC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Fortis College-Columbia comes closer — median earnings $36,368 against a $81,616 total, vs $30,497 at Allen University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureFortis College-ColumbiaAllen University
Net price / yr$20,404$10,972
Total net cost$81,616$43,888
Median earnings, 10 yrs$36,368$30,497
Median debt$12,547$34,290
Payback
20-year net return-$321,456-$401,148

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

Which is cheaper, Fortis College-Columbia or Allen University?

Allen University, at $10,972 a year after aid versus $20,404 — a gap of $9,432 a year, or $37,728 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Fortis College-Columbia or Allen University graduates earn more?

Fortis College-Columbia graduates report a median $36,368 ten years after entry, $5,871 more than the $30,497 at Allen 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, Fortis College-Columbia or Allen University?

Fortis College-Columbia: its completers carry a median $12,547 in federal loans versus $34,290 at Allen University, a difference of $21,743. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

43% of students finish at Fortis College-Columbia, against 13% at Allen 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.

Fortis College-Columbia vs Allen University: frequently asked questions

Is Fortis College-Columbia or Allen University a better value?
Fortis College-Columbia 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, Fortis College-Columbia or Allen University?
Allen University: $10,972/yr net price after aid versus $20,404/yr at Fortis College-Columbia — a difference of $9,432 a year, or about $37,728 over four years.
Do Fortis College-Columbia or Allen University graduates earn more?
Fortis College-Columbia graduates earn a median $36,368 ten years after entry, versus $30,497 at Allen University — a $5,871 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.