University of South Carolina-Columbia vs Galen Health Institutes-Myrtle Beach: which has better ROI?
Galen Health Institutes-Myrtle Beach has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $51,324 in 3.9 years versus 6.6 years at University of South Carolina-Columbia, on median earnings of $61,480 vs $62,177 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of South Carolina-Columbia | Galen Health Institutes-Myrtle Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,811 | $25,662 |
| Total net cost | $91,244 | $51,324 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,177 | $61,480 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $24,166 |
| Payback | 6.6 yrs | 3.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $185,096 | $211,076 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of South Carolina-Columbia or Galen Health Institutes-Myrtle Beach?
University of South Carolina-Columbia, at $22,811 a year after aid versus $25,662 — a gap of $2,851 a year, or $39,920 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 Galen Health Institutes-Myrtle Beach graduates earn more?
University of South Carolina-Columbia graduates report a median $62,177 ten years after entry, $697 more than the $61,480 at Galen Health Institutes-Myrtle Beach. 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 Galen Health Institutes-Myrtle Beach?
University of South Carolina-Columbia: its completers carry a median $21,500 in federal loans versus $24,166 at Galen Health Institutes-Myrtle Beach, a difference of $2,666. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.