Degree Dividend
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Winthrop University vs Anderson University: which has better ROI?

Public, Rock Hill SC · vs · Private nonprofit, Anderson SC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Winthrop University comes closer — median earnings $47,185 against a $61,372 total, vs $42,101 at Anderson University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWinthrop UniversityAnderson University
Net price / yr$15,343$23,544
Total net cost$61,372$94,176
Median earnings, 10 yrs$47,185$42,101
Median debt$26,975$26,700
Payback
20-year net return-$84,872-$219,356

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

Which is cheaper, Winthrop University or Anderson University?

Winthrop University, at $15,343 a year after aid versus $23,544 — a gap of $8,201 a year, or $32,804 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Winthrop University or Anderson University graduates earn more?

Winthrop University graduates report a median $47,185 ten years after entry, $5,084 more than the $42,101 at Anderson 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, Winthrop University or Anderson University?

Anderson University: its completers carry a median $26,700 in federal loans versus $26,975 at Winthrop University, a difference of $275. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

66% of students finish at Anderson University, against 57% at Winthrop 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.

Winthrop University vs Anderson University: frequently asked questions

Is Winthrop University or Anderson University a better value?
Winthrop University 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, Winthrop University or Anderson University?
Winthrop University: $15,343/yr net price after aid versus $23,544/yr at Anderson University — a difference of $8,201 a year, or about $32,804 over four years.
Do Winthrop University or Anderson University graduates earn more?
Winthrop University graduates earn a median $47,185 ten years after entry, versus $42,101 at Anderson University — a $5,084 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.