Degree Dividend
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Southern Wesleyan University vs Allen University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Central SC · vs · Private nonprofit, Columbia SC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Southern Wesleyan University comes closer — median earnings $47,756 against a $61,856 total, vs $30,497 at Allen University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSouthern Wesleyan UniversityAllen University
Net price / yr$15,464$10,972
Total net cost$61,856$43,888
Median earnings, 10 yrs$47,756$30,497
Median debt$26,000$34,290
Payback
20-year net return-$73,936-$401,148

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

Which is cheaper, Southern Wesleyan University or Allen University?

Allen University, at $10,972 a year after aid versus $15,464 — a gap of $4,492 a year, or $17,968 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Southern Wesleyan University or Allen University graduates earn more?

Southern Wesleyan University graduates report a median $47,756 ten years after entry, $17,259 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, Southern Wesleyan University or Allen University?

Southern Wesleyan University: its completers carry a median $26,000 in federal loans versus $34,290 at Allen University, a difference of $8,290. 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 Southern Wesleyan University, 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.

Southern Wesleyan University vs Allen University: frequently asked questions

Is Southern Wesleyan University or Allen University a better value?
Southern Wesleyan 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, Southern Wesleyan University or Allen University?
Allen University: $10,972/yr net price after aid versus $15,464/yr at Southern Wesleyan University — a difference of $4,492 a year, or about $17,968 over four years.
Do Southern Wesleyan University or Allen University graduates earn more?
Southern Wesleyan University graduates earn a median $47,756 ten years after entry, versus $30,497 at Allen University — a $17,259 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.