Anderson University
Anderson, South Carolina · Private Nonprofit · 54.7% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 24/100 · Poor Value
Anderson University earns a 24 ROI score (Poor Value), one of the weakest in this batch despite a respectable 65.7% completion rate. The institutional struggle is the cost-versus-earnings math: tuition is $34,970, average net price $23,544, total four-year cost about $94,176. Median earnings of $31,000 at six years grow to $42,101 at ten--genuinely weak for a private college at this price point. Median debt of $26,700 produces a $283/month payment and a 0.861 debt-to-earnings ratio (sub-score 10), one of the worst dimensions in our scoring. Earnings premium of 0.075 (sub-score 15) means graduates earn only marginally more than typical high-school grads. The 33-year payback period (sub-score 16) is essentially never-payback territory under realistic income trajectories. The good news--65.7% completion (sub-score 70)--indicates the institution graduates students well; the bad news is that what they graduate into doesn't justify what was paid. Nursing is the only program that produces clear value here.
The data raises concerns about Anderson University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score24/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Payback period33 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Anderson University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $34,970/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $34,970/yr |
| Average net price | $23,544/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $94,176 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $42,101 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $31,000 |
| Median debt at graduation | $26,700 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $283 |
| Estimated payback period | 33 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 65.7% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 3,183 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Anderson University is $34,970/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $23,544/year, or roughly $94,176 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $17,188/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $27,080/year.
The median graduate leaves with $26,700 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $283 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $42,101 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.86 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $17,188 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,724 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,647 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,926 |
| $110,001+ | $27,080 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families at $0-$30,000 pay $17,188 net (~$69K over four years). Pell plus state aid does some work, but students will borrow at or above the $26,700 median. With earnings outcomes around $31K-$42K, the math is structurally tight. Pell-eligible students should look hard at Clemson or USC Upstate before committing.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
$30,001-$48,000 households pay $18,724, $48,001-$75,000 pay $19,647, and $75,001-$110,000 pay $24,926. Total four-year cost ranges $75K-$100K. Bracket structure rises smoothly through reported tiers. Middle-income families should expect to borrow meaningfully above the $26,700 median in many cases. The 33-year payback math means most non-nursing graduates from middle-income families spend their twenties and thirties paying down debt.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $27,080 (~$108K over four years). At full pay, Anderson competes poorly with Furman, Wofford, Presbyterian College, or USC's honors programs. Higher-income families typically choose Anderson for faith affiliation or specific program fit rather than dollar value.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Anderson University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $76,147 | B |
| Teacher Education | $43,612 | C |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $63,035 | C |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $50,409 | D |
| Marketing | $53,985 | C |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $46,273 | C |
| Design and Applied Arts | $44,221 | D |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $49,825 | C |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $36,872 | F |
| Special Education and Teaching | $40,264 | - |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Nursing is the standout: 87 graduates with $73,882 first-year earnings rising to $76,147 at year four. Median debt of $27,000 and a 0.365 ratio yield a B grade. Greenville/Spartanburg/Atlanta hospital systems absorb graduates well. For a determined nursing student, the program produces real outcomes that justify the private-college cost--this is the school's structural ROI engine.
Teacher Education
Teacher education enrolls 61 graduates with a C grade. First-year earnings of $40,385 grow to just $43,612 by year four against $27,000 debt (0.669 first-year ratio). South Carolina teacher salaries don't recover the private-college cost quickly; Public Service Loan Forgiveness becomes essential. Students should plan that pathway before borrowing.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business management posts a C grade with 57 graduates. First-year earnings of $49,754 climb to $63,035 by year four against $29,375 debt (0.59 ratio). Reasonable but not strong; the private-college premium isn't fully recouped versus USC Upstate or Clemson alternatives that cost much less.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Kinesiology pulls 48 graduates with a D grade. First-year earnings of $27,340 against $27,000 debt yields a 0.988 ratio--essentially break-even for the first year. As at most schools, this functions as a graduate-school feeder. As a terminal degree at private-college cost, it's a tough financial bet.
Marketing
Marketing produces 31 graduates with a C grade. First-year earnings of $37,066 rising to $53,985 by year four against $25,250 debt (0.681 first-year ratio). The Greenville and Atlanta marketing markets create real opportunities, but the private-college premium isn't fully recouped here either.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 60.2% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 66.7% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 64.8% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 69.5% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 54.7% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 540-630 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 560-650 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 22-29 |
| Enrollment | 3,183 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 20.8% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,635 |
Anderson admits 54.7% of applicants with SAT mid-ranges of 540-630 math and 560-650 reading; ACT composite is 22-29. Modestly selective. The 65.7% completion rate is reasonable--better than many in this batch--and is consistent with admitting prepared students. The selectivity-completion combination suggests Anderson does its job academically; the institutional ROI weakness is purely on the cost-versus-earnings dimension.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Among peers (Allen University, Charleston Southern, Indiana Tech's professional studies, Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico, Columbia College-Missouri), Anderson sits in the lower-middle of the cluster on ROI. Charleston Southern is similarly priced with similar earnings outcomes; Allen University has a different student-mix and lower published earnings. South Carolina public alternatives (Clemson, College of Charleston, USC Aiken, USC Upstate) deliver dramatically better dollar-value for the typical major.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson University (this school) | 24 | $23,544 | $42,101 |
| Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico | 27 | $17,540 | $47,540 |
| Columbia College | 25 | $22,715 | $45,378 |
| Charleston Southern University | 24 | $21,666 | $45,898 |
| Indiana Institute of Technology-College of Professional Studies | 24 | $20,473 | $47,327 |
| Allen University | 3 | $10,972 | $30,497 |
Who Thrives Here
Anderson University is a Christian-affiliated South Carolina liberal-arts college with 3,183 enrolled students. Pell rate of 20.8% reflects a more middle-class profile than at most regional South Carolina institutions. The school works financially for nursing-bound students (B grade nursing program, 87 graduates per cohort) and reasonably well for accounting majors. For business, education, and most other majors, the private-college premium isn't recouped versus USC Upstate, College of Charleston, or Clemson alternatives that cost meaningfully less.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Anderson University. With a net cost of $23,544 per year and median graduate earnings of only $42,101 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 33 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $26,700 against $42,101 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.