Clemson University vs College of Charleston
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
Clemson University holds a 29-point ROI advantage over College of Charleston, scoring 86/100 versus 57/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, College of Charleston comes in at $18,960 per year (net price after aid) versus $22,253 at Clemson University - a difference of $3,293 annually, or roughly $13,172 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Clemson University graduates earn a median of $71,513 compared to $56,416 at College of Charleston. The payback period is 6.3 years at Clemson University versus 10.1 years at College of Charleston.
Graduates leave Clemson University with a median $21,500 in debt versus $23,250 at College of Charleston. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.45 and 0.64 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Clemson University | College of Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $15,554 | $12,978 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $40,866 | $38,296 |
| Net Price (avg) | $22,253 | $18,960 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $89,012 | $75,840 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $48,100 | $36,400 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $71,513 | $56,416 |
| Graduation Rate | 86.6% | 65.8% |
| Payback Period | 6.3 yr | 10.1 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $21,500 | $23,250 |
| Monthly Payment | $228 | $246 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.45 | 0.64 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 83.9% | 68.0% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 82.2% | 66.1% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 38.3% | 60.0% |
| Enrollment | 23,300 | 10,558 |
| SAT Range | 1240-1410 | 1140-1310 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Clemson University | College of Charlesto... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $13,607 | $12,133 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $14,109 | $13,406 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $18,851 | $16,797 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $24,833 | $20,089 |
| $110,001+ | $27,922 | $24,996 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Clemson University | College of Charlesto... |
|---|---|---|
| Information Science | $105,646 | $93,285 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $101,301 | $98,059 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $91,269 | $84,187 |
| Accounting | $84,458 | $85,826 |
| Mathematics | $82,450 | $54,942 |
| Marketing | $81,109 | $68,348 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $70,059 | $71,360 |
| Romance Languages | $70,584 | $56,122 |
| Chemistry | $67,996 | $39,208 |
| Biology | $65,577 | $55,342 |
| International Relations | $64,822 | $58,955 |
| Psychology | $55,126 | $47,926 |
| Sociology | $54,780 | $48,709 |
| English Language and Literature | $50,582 | $51,705 |
| History | $50,125 | $47,424 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Clemson University | College of Charlesto... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 83 | 63 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 88 | 61 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 82 | 42 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 94 | 70 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 83 | 35 |
| Overall ROI Score | 86 | 57 |
The Verdict
Clemson University significantly outperforms College of Charleston on financial ROI (86 vs 57). The 29-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless College of Charleston offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors Clemson University.
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Clemson University
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
College of Charleston
Below Average Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.