University of South Carolina-Upstate vs Furman University: which has better ROI?
Furman University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $121,232 in 6 years versus 238.9 years at University of South Carolina-Upstate, on median earnings of $68,635 vs $48,587 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of South Carolina-Upstate | Furman University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,557 | $30,308 |
| Total net cost | $54,228 | $121,232 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $48,587 | $68,635 |
| Median debt | $22,310 | $23,250 |
| Payback | 238.9 yrs | 6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$49,688 | $284,268 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of South Carolina-Upstate or Furman University?
University of South Carolina-Upstate, at $13,557 a year after aid versus $30,308 — a gap of $16,751 a year, or $67,004 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-Upstate or Furman University graduates earn more?
Furman University graduates report a median $68,635 ten years after entry, $20,048 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-Upstate or Furman University?
University of South Carolina-Upstate: its completers carry a median $22,310 in federal loans versus $23,250 at Furman University, a difference of $940. 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 Furman University, 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.