Do students get what they pay for at South Carolina’s biggest colleges?
South Carolina offers no shortage of higher education options, but not every school offers the same bang for your buck.
For many South Carolina students, college is one of the first major expenses of their adult life, so it’s important to secure a solid return on investment.
Using data from the United States Department of Education’s College Scorecard, Georgetown University’s Center on Education and Workforce has put together a series of studies looking at 4,600 colleges and universities using students’ median earnings 6 years, 8 years, and 10 years after they enroll, the institutions’ net price and the predominant degree they offer.
According to the Georgetown study, return on investment is the cumulative sum of yearly income minus the student’s total out-of-pocket costs based on the average annual net price after estimated scholarships and financial aid.
The latest report was released in 2025.
Here’s how South Carolina’s 25 largest colleges and universities rank by 10-year return on investment.
No. 1: The Citadel Military College of South Carolina
- Enrollment: 2,705
- Annual in-state cost: $33,058
- 10-year return on investment: $252,000
No. 2: Clemson University
- Enrollment: 23,300
- Annual in-state cost: $37,130
- 10-year return on investment: $210,000
No. 3: University of South Carolina-Columbia
- Enrollment: 29,820
- Annual in-state cost: $40,584
- 10-year return on investment: $176,000
No. 4: University of South Carolina-Upstate
- Enrollment: 4,038
- Annual in-state cost: $30,127
- 10-year return on investment: $162,000
No. 5: Wofford College
- Enrollment: 1,816
- Annual in-state cost: $82,201
- 10-year return on investment: $157,000
No. 6: University of South Carolina Aiken
- Enrollment: 2,962
- Annual in-state cost: $24,206
- 10-year return on investment: $157,000
No. 7: College of Charleston
- Enrollment: 10,558
- Annual in-state cost: $35,270
- 10-year return on investment: $155,000
No. 8: Coastal Carolina University
- Enrollment: 10,377
- Annual in-state cost: $28,430
- 10-year return on investment: $149,000
No. 9: University of South Carolina Beaufort
- Enrollment: 2,052
- Annual in-state cost: $24,200
- 10-year return on investment: $138,000
No. 10: Francis Marion University
- Enrollment: 2,628
- Annual in-state cost: $27,916
- 10-year return on investment: $136,000
No. 11: Furman University
- Enrollment: 2,379
- Annual in-state cost: $81,276
- 10-year return on investment: $132,000
No. 12: Winthrop University
- Enrollment: 3,523
- Annual in-state cost: $35,826
- 10-year return on investment: $130,000
No. 13: Charleston Southern University
- Enrollment: 2,893
- Annual in-state cost: $34,080
- 10-year return on investment: $126,000
No. 14: Bob Jones University
- Enrollment: 2,005
- Annual in-state cost: $36,510
- 10-year return on investment: $124,000
No. 15: North Greenville University
- Enrollment: 1,819
- Annual in-state cost: $26,820
- 10-year return on investment: $121,000
No. 16: Lander University
- Enrollment: 3,397
- Annual in-state cost: $23,280
- 10-year return on investment: $120,000
No. 17: Newberry College
- Enrollment: 1,479
- Annual in-state cost: $48,200
- 10-year return on investment: $119,000
No. 18: Coker University
- Enrollment: 840
- Annual in-state cost: $46,920
- 10-year return on investment: $110,000
No. 19: Columbia College
- Enrollment: 1,343
- Annual in-state cost: $36,096
- 10-year return on investment: $108,000
No. 20: Anderson University
- Enrollment: 3,183
- Annual in-state cost: $37,790
- 10-year return on investment: $101,000
No. 21: Converse University
- Enrollment: 1,173
- Annual in-state cost: $50,690
- 10-year return on investment: $84,000
No. 22: South Carolina State University
- Enrollment: 2,934
- Annual in-state cost: $23,250
- 10-year return on investment: $83,000
No. 23: Columbia International University
- Enrollment: 716
- Annual in-state cost: $40,900
- 10-year return on investment: $82,000
No. 24: Claflin University
- Enrollment: 1,706
- Annual in-state cost: $34,225
- 10-year return on investment: $75,000
No. 25: Benedict College
- Enrollment: 1,536
- Annual in-state cost: $26,000
- 10-year return on investment: $51,560
This story was originally published June 29, 2026 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Do students get what they pay for at South Carolina’s biggest colleges?."