University of South Carolina-Columbia 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
University of South Carolina-Columbia holds a 15-point ROI advantage over College of Charleston, scoring 72/100 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 $22,811 at University of South Carolina-Columbia - a difference of $3,851 annually, or roughly $15,404 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of South Carolina-Columbia graduates earn a median of $62,177 compared to $56,416 at College of Charleston. The payback period is 8.5 years at University of South Carolina-Columbia versus 10.1 years at College of Charleston.
Graduates leave University of South Carolina-Columbia with a median $21,500 in debt versus $23,250 at College of Charleston. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.49 and 0.64 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of South Carol... | College of Charleston |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $12,688 | $12,978 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $35,972 | $38,296 |
| Net Price (avg) | $22,811 | $18,960 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $91,244 | $75,840 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $43,900 | $36,400 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $62,177 | $56,416 |
| Graduation Rate | 78.8% | 65.8% |
| Payback Period | 8.5 yr | 10.1 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $21,500 | $23,250 |
| Monthly Payment | $228 | $246 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.49 | 0.64 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 75.9% | 68.0% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 74.5% | 66.1% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 60.2% | 60.0% |
| Enrollment | 29,820 | 10,558 |
| SAT Range | 1180-1360 | 1140-1310 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of South ... | College of Charlesto... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $12,634 | $12,133 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $14,953 | $13,406 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $19,859 | $16,797 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $24,478 | $20,089 |
| $110,001+ | $28,125 | $24,996 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of South ... | College of Charlesto... |
|---|---|---|
| International Business | $107,205 | $76,727 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $84,720 | $98,059 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $92,578 | $84,187 |
| Accounting | $86,507 | $85,826 |
| Marketing | $81,945 | $68,348 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $70,527 | $71,360 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences | $70,284 | $63,993 |
| International Relations | $65,464 | $58,955 |
| Hospitality Administration | $56,688 | $64,154 |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $63,534 | $58,317 |
| Mathematics | $62,278 | $54,942 |
| Public Health | $58,715 | $55,660 |
| Biology | $58,669 | $55,342 |
| Chemistry | $58,462 | $39,208 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $53,247 | $58,371 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of South ... | College of Charlesto... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 66 | 63 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 72 | 61 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 75 | 42 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 88 | 70 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 57 | 35 |
| Overall ROI Score | 72 | 57 |
The Verdict
University of South Carolina-Columbia has a meaningfully higher ROI score (72 vs 57). Graduates earn more relative to cost, and the financial return is noticeably stronger. That said, if College of Charleston offers a significantly better program in your intended major, it could still be the better financial choice for you specifically.
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University of South Carolina-Columbia
Fair 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.