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Head-to-head comparison

University of South Carolina-Columbia vs Presbyterian College: which has better ROI?

Public, Columbia SC · vs · Private nonprofit, Clinton SC

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

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 Clinton, SC

Presbyterian College

Net price / year
$20,528
Earnings, 10 years
$60,194
Payback
6.9 yrs
The verdict

University of South Carolina-Columbia has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $91,244 in 6.6 years versus 6.9 years at Presbyterian College, on median earnings of $62,177 vs $60,194 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of South Carolina-ColumbiaPresbyterian College
Net price / yr$22,811$20,528
Total net cost$91,244$82,112
Median earnings, 10 yrs$62,177$60,194
Median debt$21,500$26,000
Payback6.6 yrs6.9 yrs
20-year net return$185,096$154,568

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 Presbyterian College?

Presbyterian College, at $20,528 a year after aid versus $22,811 — a gap of $2,283 a year, or $9,132 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 Presbyterian College graduates earn more?

University of South Carolina-Columbia graduates report a median $62,177 ten years after entry, $1,983 more than the $60,194 at Presbyterian 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, University of South Carolina-Columbia or Presbyterian College?

University of South Carolina-Columbia: its completers carry a median $21,500 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Presbyterian College, a difference of $4,500. 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?

79% of students finish at University of South Carolina-Columbia, against 51% at Presbyterian 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.

University of South Carolina-Columbia vs Presbyterian College: frequently asked questions

Is University of South Carolina-Columbia or Presbyterian College a better value?
University of South Carolina-Columbia. It clears its $91,244 net cost in about 6.6 years versus 6.9 years at Presbyterian College, on median earnings of $62,177 vs $60,194 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of South Carolina-Columbia or Presbyterian College?
Presbyterian College: $20,528/yr net price after aid versus $22,811/yr at University of South Carolina-Columbia — a difference of $2,283 a year, or about $9,132 over four years.
Do University of South Carolina-Columbia or Presbyterian College graduates earn more?
University of South Carolina-Columbia graduates earn a median $62,177 ten years after entry, versus $60,194 at Presbyterian College — a $1,983 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.