Head-to-head comparison
University of South Carolina-Columbia vs Clemson University: which has better ROI?
Option A Columbia, SC
University of South Carolina-Columbia
- Net price / year
- $22,811
- Earnings, 10 years
- $62,177
- Payback
- 6.6 yrs
Option B Clemson, SC
Clemson University
- Net price / year
- $22,253
- Earnings, 10 years
- $71,513
- Payback
- 3.8 yrs
Clemson University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $89,012 in 3.8 years versus 6.6 years at University of South Carolina-Columbia, on median earnings of $71,513 vs $62,177 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of South Carolina-Columbia | Clemson University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,811 | $22,253 |
| Total net cost | $91,244 | $89,012 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,177 | $71,513 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $21,500 |
| Payback | 6.6 yrs | 3.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $185,096 | $374,048 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of South Carolina-Columbia or Clemson University?
Clemson University, at $22,253 a year after aid versus $22,811 — a gap of $558 a year, or $2,232 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 University of South Carolina-Columbia or Clemson University graduates earn more?
Clemson University graduates report a median $71,513 ten years after entry, $9,336 more than the $62,177 at University of South Carolina-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, University of South Carolina-Columbia or Clemson University?
Completers at both borrow a median $21,500, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
87% of students finish at Clemson University, against 79% at University of South Carolina-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.