South University-Columbia
South University-Columbia — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is South University-Columbia Worth It?
At a value score of 4/100, South University-Columbia is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $34,421 — 36% below average — while paying $27,693/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 3.2-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
A 13% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 1 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 $26,123 representing 76% 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 South University-Columbia has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How South University-Columbia compares to peer for-profit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #45 of 49 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 | Concorde Career College-Aurora | 42 | $16,666 | $42,456 |
| #2 | West Virginia Junior College-Morgantown | 34 | $15,520 | $31,912 |
| #3 | InterCoast Colleges-West Covina | 30 | $27,536 | $36,089 |
| #4 | Southeastern College-Boynton Beach | 28 | $28,820 | $41,200 |
| #5 | Platt College-Ontario | 28 | $20,711 | $40,669 |
| #6 | Platt College-Anaheim | 28 | $22,678 | $40,669 |
| #45 | South University-Columbia | 4 | $27,693 | $34,421 |
Peer group: for-profit colleges within ±60% of South University-Columbia's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at South University-Columbia
The highest-earning program at South University-Columbia is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $64,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Design and Applied Arts at $24,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from South University-Columbia earns $64,200, while a Design and Applied Arts graduate earns $24,100. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $15,278 in median debt vs. $49,370 for Design and Applied Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $27,693/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $64,200 | $64,200 | $15,278 |
| Information Science/Studies | $45,900 | $45,900 | $46,176 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $40,200 | $40,200 | $43,495 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $37,000 | $37,000 | N/A |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $31,800 | $31,800 | $45,209 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $31,800 | $31,800 | $44,420 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $30,400 | $30,400 | $43,436 |
| Legal Support Services | $29,700 | $29,700 | $40,151 |
| Psychology, General | $26,200 | $26,200 | $42,987 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $24,100 | $24,100 | $49,370 |
Similar Colleges in SC
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- for-profit
- Location
- Columbia, SC
- Student Body
- 450 students
- Graduation Rate
- 13%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $27,693
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $34,421
- Median Student Debt
- $26,123