Head-to-head comparison
University of South Carolina-Columbia vs Galen Health Institutes-Myrtle Beach: 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 Myrtle Beach, SC
Galen Health Institutes-Myrtle Beach
- Net price / year
- $25,662
- Earnings, 10 years
- $61,480
- Payback
- 3.9 yrs
Galen Health Institutes-Myrtle Beach has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $51,324 in 3.9 years versus 6.6 years at University of South Carolina-Columbia, on median earnings of $61,480 vs $62,177 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of South Carolina-Columbia | Galen Health Institutes-Myrtle Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,811 | $25,662 |
| Total net cost | $91,244 | $51,324 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,177 | $61,480 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $24,166 |
| Payback | 6.6 yrs | 3.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $185,096 | $211,076 |
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 Galen Health Institutes-Myrtle Beach?
University of South Carolina-Columbia, at $22,811 a year after aid versus $25,662 — a gap of $2,851 a year, or $39,920 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 Galen Health Institutes-Myrtle Beach graduates earn more?
University of South Carolina-Columbia graduates report a median $62,177 ten years after entry, $697 more than the $61,480 at Galen Health Institutes-Myrtle Beach. 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 Galen Health Institutes-Myrtle Beach?
University of South Carolina-Columbia: its completers carry a median $21,500 in federal loans versus $24,166 at Galen Health Institutes-Myrtle Beach, a difference of $2,666. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.