Benedict College
Benedict College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Benedict College Worth It?
At a value score of 10/100, Benedict College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $31,902 — 41% below average — while paying $18,250/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.3-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
A 23% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 2 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 96% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
With median debt of $32,500 representing 102% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Benedict College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Benedict College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #20 of 21 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | United Talmudical Seminary | 54 | $6,640 | $25,113 |
| #2 | Atlantic University | 37 | $6,425 | $25,272 |
| #3 | Herzing University-Minneapolis | 34 | $16,670 | $36,909 |
| #4 | Universidad Adventista de las Antillas | 30 | $9,919 | $28,465 |
| #5 | CBD College | 29 | $23,033 | $37,237 |
| #6 | Virginia Union University | 28 | $13,235 | $38,275 |
| #20 | Benedict College | 10 | $18,250 | $31,902 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Benedict College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in SC.
Best Programs at Benedict College
The highest-earning program at Benedict College is Criminal Justice and Corrections at $28,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Communication and Media Studies at $17,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Criminal Justice and Corrections graduate from Benedict College earns $28,000, while a Communication and Media Studies graduate earns $17,100. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,250/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $28,000 | $28,000 | $30,250 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $22,400 | $22,400 | N/A |
| Biology, General | $20,300 | $20,300 | $34,375 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $20,000 | $20,000 | $36,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $17,100 | $17,100 | N/A |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Columbia, SC
- Student Body
- 1,536 students
- Admission Rate
- 96%
- Graduation Rate
- 23%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,250
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $31,902
- Median Student Debt
- $32,500