Head-to-head comparison
University of South Carolina-Columbia vs Furman 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 Greenville, SC
Furman University
- Net price / year
- $30,308
- Earnings, 10 years
- $68,635
- Payback
- 6 yrs
Furman University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $121,232 in 6 years versus 6.6 years at University of South Carolina-Columbia, on median earnings of $68,635 vs $62,177 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of South Carolina-Columbia | Furman University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,811 | $30,308 |
| Total net cost | $91,244 | $121,232 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,177 | $68,635 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $23,250 |
| Payback | 6.6 yrs | 6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $185,096 | $284,268 |
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 Furman University?
University of South Carolina-Columbia, at $22,811 a year after aid versus $30,308 — a gap of $7,497 a year, or $29,988 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 Furman University graduates earn more?
Furman University graduates report a median $68,635 ten years after entry, $6,458 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 Furman University?
University of South Carolina-Columbia: its completers carry a median $21,500 in federal loans versus $23,250 at Furman University, 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 79% at Furman 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.