Presbyterian College
Presbyterian College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Presbyterian College at a Glance
Presbyterian College (PC) is a private liberal arts college in Clinton, South Carolina, United States. It was founded in 1880 and is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA).
1880
146 years old
$96M
$95.6 million (2022)
1,199
955 undergrad · 244 grad
102
Identity
Is Presbyterian College Worth It?
Presbyterian College offers moderate value at $20,528/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $60,194, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 56% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Presbyterian College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #17 of 103 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 | Clarkson College | 57 | $19,241 | $64,876 |
| #3 | Wabash College | 55 | $24,336 | $69,952 |
| #4 | The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences | 54 | $18,378 | $68,303 |
| #5 | Ursuline College | 53 | $16,164 | $56,878 |
| #6 | Kettering College | 51 | $21,650 | $67,492 |
| #17 | Presbyterian College | 41 | $20,528 | $60,194 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Presbyterian 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 Presbyterian College
The highest-earning program at Presbyterian College is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $37,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $25,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Presbyterian College earns $37,900, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $25,900. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $20,750 in median debt vs. $25,000 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $20,528/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 | $37,900 | $37,900 | $20,750 |
| Psychology, General | $25,900 | $25,900 | $25,000 |
Similar Colleges in SC
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Clinton, SC
- Student Body
- 852 students
- Admission Rate
- 68%
- Graduation Rate
- 56%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $20,528
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $60,194
- Median Student Debt
- $26,000