University of South Carolina-Columbia vs College of Charleston: which has better ROI?
University of South Carolina-Columbia has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $91,244 in 6.6 years versus 9.4 years at College of Charleston, on median earnings of $62,177 vs $56,416 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of South Carolina-Columbia | College of Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,811 | $18,960 |
| Total net cost | $91,244 | $75,840 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,177 | $56,416 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $23,250 |
| Payback | 6.6 yrs | 9.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $185,096 | $85,280 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of South Carolina-Columbia or College of Charleston?
College of Charleston, at $18,960 a year after aid versus $22,811 — a gap of $3,851 a year, or $15,404 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of South Carolina-Columbia or College of Charleston graduates earn more?
University of South Carolina-Columbia graduates report a median $62,177 ten years after entry, $5,761 more than the $56,416 at College of Charleston. 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, University of South Carolina-Columbia or College of Charleston?
University of South Carolina-Columbia: its completers carry a median $21,500 in federal loans versus $23,250 at College of Charleston, a difference of $1,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
79% of students finish at University of South Carolina-Columbia, against 66% at College of Charleston. 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.