University of South Carolina-Upstate vs Presbyterian College: which has better ROI?
Presbyterian College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $82,112 in 6.9 years versus 238.9 years at University of South Carolina-Upstate, on median earnings of $60,194 vs $48,587 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of South Carolina-Upstate | Presbyterian College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,557 | $20,528 |
| Total net cost | $54,228 | $82,112 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $48,587 | $60,194 |
| Median debt | $22,310 | $26,000 |
| Payback | 238.9 yrs | 6.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$49,688 | $154,568 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of South Carolina-Upstate or Presbyterian College?
University of South Carolina-Upstate, at $13,557 a year after aid versus $20,528 — a gap of $6,971 a year, or $27,884 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 Presbyterian College graduates earn more?
Presbyterian College graduates report a median $60,194 ten years after entry, $11,607 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 Presbyterian College?
University of South Carolina-Upstate: its completers carry a median $22,310 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Presbyterian College, a difference of $3,690. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
51% of students finish at Presbyterian College, 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.