Head-to-head comparison
Benedict College vs University of South Carolina-Union: which has better ROI?
Option A Columbia, SC
Benedict College
- Net price / year
- $18,250
- Earnings, 10 years
- $31,902
- Payback
- No payback
Option B Union, SC
University of South Carolina-Union
- Net price / year
- $8,065
- Earnings, 10 years
- $33,699
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of South Carolina-Union comes closer — median earnings $33,699 against a $16,130 total, vs $31,902 at Benedict College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Benedict College | University of South Carolina-Union |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,250 | $8,065 |
| Total net cost | $73,000 | $16,130 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $31,902 | $33,699 |
| Median debt | $32,500 | $11,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$402,160 | -$309,350 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Benedict College or University of South Carolina-Union?
University of South Carolina-Union, at $8,065 a year after aid versus $18,250 — a gap of $10,185 a year, or $56,870 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 Benedict College or University of South Carolina-Union graduates earn more?
University of South Carolina-Union graduates report a median $33,699 ten years after entry, $1,797 more than the $31,902 at Benedict College. 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, Benedict College or University of South Carolina-Union?
University of South Carolina-Union: its completers carry a median $11,000 in federal loans versus $32,500 at Benedict College, a difference of $21,500. 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?
48% of students finish at University of South Carolina-Union, against 24% at Benedict College. 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.