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Spartanburg Community College vs University of South Carolina-Upstate: which has better ROI?

Public, Spartanburg SC · vs · Public, Spartanburg SC

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

University of South Carolina-Upstate has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $54,228 in 238.9 years versus not at all at Spartanburg Community College, on median earnings of $48,587 vs $37,097 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSpartanburg Community CollegeUniversity of South Carolina-Upstate
Net price / yr$2,405$13,557
Total net cost$9,620$54,228
Median earnings, 10 yrs$37,097$48,587
Median debt$6,500$22,310
Payback—238.9 yrs
20-year net return-$234,880-$49,688

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

Which is cheaper, Spartanburg Community College or University of South Carolina-Upstate?

Spartanburg Community College, at $2,405 a year after aid versus $13,557 — a gap of $11,152 a year, or $44,608 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Spartanburg Community College or University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates earn more?

University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates report a median $48,587 ten years after entry, $11,490 more than the $37,097 at Spartanburg Community 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, Spartanburg Community College or University of South Carolina-Upstate?

Spartanburg Community College: its completers carry a median $6,500 in federal loans versus $22,310 at University of South Carolina-Upstate, a difference of $15,810. 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 University of South Carolina-Upstate, against 28% at Spartanburg Community 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.

Spartanburg Community College vs University of South Carolina-Upstate: frequently asked questions

Is Spartanburg Community College or University of South Carolina-Upstate a better value?
University of South Carolina-Upstate. It clears its $54,228 net cost in about 238.9 years versus no clear payback at Spartanburg Community College, on median earnings of $48,587 vs $37,097 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Spartanburg Community College or University of South Carolina-Upstate?
Spartanburg Community College: $2,405/yr net price after aid versus $13,557/yr at University of South Carolina-Upstate — a difference of $11,152 a year, or about $44,608 over four years.
Do Spartanburg Community College or University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates earn more?
University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates earn a median $48,587 ten years after entry, versus $37,097 at Spartanburg Community College — a $11,490 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.