University of South Carolina-Columbia vs Presbyterian College: 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 6.9 years at Presbyterian College, on median earnings of $62,177 vs $60,194 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of South Carolina-Columbia | Presbyterian College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,811 | $20,528 |
| Total net cost | $91,244 | $82,112 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,177 | $60,194 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $26,000 |
| Payback | 6.6 yrs | 6.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $185,096 | $154,568 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of South Carolina-Columbia or Presbyterian College?
Presbyterian College, at $20,528 a year after aid versus $22,811 — a gap of $2,283 a year, or $9,132 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 Presbyterian College graduates earn more?
University of South Carolina-Columbia graduates report a median $62,177 ten years after entry, $1,983 more than the $60,194 at Presbyterian 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, University of South Carolina-Columbia or Presbyterian College?
University of South Carolina-Columbia: its completers carry a median $21,500 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Presbyterian College, a difference of $4,500. 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 51% at Presbyterian 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.