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

Public, Greenwood SC · vs · Private nonprofit, Columbia SC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Lander University comes closer — median earnings $42,396 against a $61,452 total, vs $31,902 at Benedict College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureLander UniversityBenedict College
Net price / yr$15,363$18,250
Total net cost$61,452$73,000
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,396$31,902
Median debt$25,000$32,500
Payback
20-year net return-$180,732-$402,160

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

Which is cheaper, Lander University or Benedict College?

Lander University, at $15,363 a year after aid versus $18,250 — a gap of $2,887 a year, or $11,548 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Lander University or Benedict College graduates earn more?

Lander University graduates report a median $42,396 ten years after entry, $10,494 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, Lander University or Benedict College?

Lander University: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $32,500 at Benedict College, a difference of $7,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

50% of students finish at Lander 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.

Lander University vs Benedict College: frequently asked questions

Is Lander University or Benedict College a better value?
Lander 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, Lander University or Benedict College?
Lander University: $15,363/yr net price after aid versus $18,250/yr at Benedict College — a difference of $2,887 a year, or about $11,548 over four years.
Do Lander University or Benedict College graduates earn more?
Lander University graduates earn a median $42,396 ten years after entry, versus $31,902 at Benedict College — a $10,494 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.