Degree Dividend
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University of South Carolina-Lancaster vs Allen University: which has better ROI?

Public, Lancaster SC · vs · Private nonprofit, Columbia SC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of South Carolina-Lancaster comes closer — median earnings $39,426 against a $19,602 total, vs $30,497 at Allen University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of South Carolina-LancasterAllen University
Net price / yr$9,801$10,972
Total net cost$19,602$43,888
Median earnings, 10 yrs$39,426$30,497
Median debt$9,616$34,290
Payback
20-year net return-$198,282-$401,148

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

Which is cheaper, University of South Carolina-Lancaster or Allen University?

University of South Carolina-Lancaster, at $9,801 a year after aid versus $10,972 — a gap of $1,171 a year, or $24,286 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-Lancaster or Allen University graduates earn more?

University of South Carolina-Lancaster graduates report a median $39,426 ten years after entry, $8,929 more than the $30,497 at Allen University. 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-Lancaster or Allen University?

University of South Carolina-Lancaster: its completers carry a median $9,616 in federal loans versus $34,290 at Allen University, a difference of $24,674. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

25% of students finish at University of South Carolina-Lancaster, against 13% at Allen University. 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.

University of South Carolina-Lancaster vs Allen University: frequently asked questions

Is University of South Carolina-Lancaster or Allen University a better value?
University of South Carolina-Lancaster comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, University of South Carolina-Lancaster or Allen University?
University of South Carolina-Lancaster: $9,801/yr net price after aid versus $10,972/yr at Allen University — a difference of $1,171 a year, or about $24,286 over four years.
Do University of South Carolina-Lancaster or Allen University graduates earn more?
University of South Carolina-Lancaster graduates earn a median $39,426 ten years after entry, versus $30,497 at Allen University — a $8,929 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.