University of South Carolina-Columbia vs University of South Carolina-Upstate: 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 238.9 years at University of South Carolina-Upstate, on median earnings of $62,177 vs $48,587 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of South Carolina-Columbia | University of South Carolina-Upstate |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,811 | $13,557 |
| Total net cost | $91,244 | $54,228 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,177 | $48,587 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $22,310 |
| Payback | 6.6 yrs | 238.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $185,096 | -$49,688 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of South Carolina-Columbia or University of South Carolina-Upstate?
University of South Carolina-Upstate, at $13,557 a year after aid versus $22,811 — a gap of $9,254 a year, or $37,016 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 University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates earn more?
University of South Carolina-Columbia graduates report a median $62,177 ten years after entry, $13,590 more than the $48,587 at University of South Carolina-Upstate. 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 University of South Carolina-Upstate?
University of South Carolina-Columbia: its completers carry a median $21,500 in federal loans versus $22,310 at University of South Carolina-Upstate, a difference of $810. 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 43% at University of South Carolina-Upstate. 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.