Erskine College
Erskine College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Erskine College at a Glance
Erskine College is a private Christian college in Due West, South Carolina, United States. It is an undergraduate liberal arts college and a graduate theological seminary. The college was founded in 1839 by the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. Its sports teams compete in NCAA Division II as a member of Conference Carolinas.
1839
187 years old
$39M
$38.5 million
984
854 undergrad · 130 grad
33
Identity
Is Erskine College Worth It?
At a value score of 38/100, Erskine College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $53,459 — 1% below average — while paying $16,525/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 47% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $27,000 representing 51% 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 Erskine College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Erskine College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #20 of 109 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 | University of St Francis | 81 | $13,006 | $63,926 |
| #2 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #3 | Coe College | 48 | $18,745 | $57,125 |
| #4 | Allegheny College | 47 | $22,940 | $62,069 |
| #5 | Hendrix College | 44 | $24,149 | $60,376 |
| #6 | Carroll College | 44 | $23,960 | $61,772 |
| #20 | Erskine College | 38 | $16,525 | $53,459 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Erskine College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in SC.
Best Programs at Erskine College
The highest-earning program at Erskine College is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $26,100/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Erskine College earns $26,100, while a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate earns $26,100. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $26,000 in median debt vs. $26,000 for Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $16,525/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $26,100 | $26,100 | $26,000 |
Similar Colleges in SC
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Due West, SC
- Student Body
- 766 students
- Admission Rate
- 63%
- Graduation Rate
- 47%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $16,525
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $53,459
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000