Head-to-head comparison
University of South Carolina-Columbia vs College of Charleston: 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 Charleston, SC
College of Charleston
- Net price / year
- $18,960
- Earnings, 10 years
- $56,416
- Payback
- 9.4 yrs
University of South Carolina-Columbia has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $91,244 in 6.6 years versus 9.4 years at College of Charleston, on median earnings of $62,177 vs $56,416 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of South Carolina-Columbia | College of Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,811 | $18,960 |
| Total net cost | $91,244 | $75,840 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,177 | $56,416 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $23,250 |
| Payback | 6.6 yrs | 9.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $185,096 | $85,280 |
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 College of Charleston?
College of Charleston, at $18,960 a year after aid versus $22,811 — a gap of $3,851 a year, or $15,404 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 College of Charleston graduates earn more?
University of South Carolina-Columbia graduates report a median $62,177 ten years after entry, $5,761 more than the $56,416 at College of Charleston. 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 College of Charleston?
University of South Carolina-Columbia: its completers carry a median $21,500 in federal loans versus $23,250 at College of Charleston, a difference of $1,750. 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?
79% of students finish at University of South Carolina-Columbia, against 66% at College of Charleston. 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.