Head-to-head comparison
Anderson University vs South University-Columbia: which has better ROI?
Option A Anderson, SC
Anderson University
- Net price / year
- $23,544
- Earnings, 10 years
- $42,101
- Payback
- No payback
Option B Columbia, SC
South University-Columbia
- Net price / year
- $27,693
- Earnings, 10 years
- $34,421
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Anderson University comes closer — median earnings $42,101 against a $94,176 total, vs $34,421 at South University-Columbia. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Anderson University | South University-Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,544 | $27,693 |
| Total net cost | $94,176 | $110,772 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,101 | $34,421 |
| Median debt | $26,700 | $26,123 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$219,356 | -$389,552 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Anderson University or South University-Columbia?
Anderson University, at $23,544 a year after aid versus $27,693 — a gap of $4,149 a year, or $16,596 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Anderson University or South University-Columbia graduates earn more?
Anderson University graduates report a median $42,101 ten years after entry, $7,680 more than the $34,421 at South University-Columbia. 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Anderson University or South University-Columbia?
South University-Columbia: its completers carry a median $26,123 in federal loans versus $26,700 at Anderson University, a difference of $577. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
66% of students finish at Anderson University, against 23% at South University-Columbia. 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.