South Carolina State University vs Benedict College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but South Carolina State University comes closer — median earnings $38,262 against a $72,388 total, vs $31,902 at Benedict College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | South Carolina State University | Benedict College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,097 | $18,250 |
| Total net cost | $72,388 | $73,000 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $38,262 | $31,902 |
| Median debt | $31,000 | $32,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$274,348 | -$402,160 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, South Carolina State University or Benedict College?
South Carolina State University, at $18,097 a year after aid versus $18,250 — a gap of $153 a year, or $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 South Carolina State University or Benedict College graduates earn more?
South Carolina State University graduates report a median $38,262 ten years after entry, $6,360 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, South Carolina State University or Benedict College?
South Carolina State University: its completers carry a median $31,000 in federal loans versus $32,500 at Benedict College, a difference of $1,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
37% of students finish at South Carolina State 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.