University of South Carolina-Columbia vs College of Charleston
Torn between these two? Here's how they stack up on what actually matters - what you'll pay, what graduates earn, and which one gives you the better return - all on U.S. Department of Education data.
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
On the numbers, University of South Carolina-Columbia comes out ahead: 72/100 to 57/100, a 15-point edge over College of Charleston. That gap comes from real differences in what each one costs, what its graduates earn, and the debt they leave with.
Start with what you'd actually pay. After aid, College of Charleston runs $18,960 a year against $22,811 at University of South Carolina-Columbia - $3,851 more a year, or about $15,404 across four years.
Then look at what that buys. Ten years after enrollment, University of South Carolina-Columbia graduates earn a median $62,177 against $56,416 at College of Charleston. The cost earns itself back in 8.5 years at University of South Carolina-Columbia and 10.1 years at College of Charleston.
Finally, the debt you'd carry out. Graduates leave University of South Carolina-Columbia owing a median $21,500 versus $23,250 at College of Charleston. Their debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.49 and 0.64 - and the rule of thumb is to keep that under 1.0, meaning debt no bigger than a first year's pay.
The business-program question
Families comparing these two are often comparing business schools, and the data splits by which business. In international business, USC graduates report $107,205 in median earnings and Charleston graduates report $76,727. In finance, the figures are $92,578 at USC and $84,187 at Charleston. In general business administration, they are $70,527 at USC and $71,360 at Charleston. In accounting, they are $86,507 at USC and $85,826 at Charleston.
The program you plan to study matters more than the campus averages, so compare program-level earnings and your own aid offers.
Cost, completion, and the overall read
Average net price is $18,960 a year after aid at Charleston and $22,811 at USC. In the $48,001 to $75,000 bracket, the figures are $16,797 and $19,859. Completion is 79% at USC and 66% at Charleston, median earnings are $62,177 and $56,416, and the three-year repayment rate is 76% and 68%. Overall scores are 72 for USC and 57 for Charleston.
In our view, a student certain of a general business or accounting path should weigh program earnings and the aid offer from each school, since the outcome data for those programs is close.
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 | ||
| Average 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 the clearly stronger ROI here (72 vs 57) - graduates earn more for what they paid, and the return is noticeably better. That said, if College of Charleston is the stronger school for your intended major, that can outweigh the gap 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.