Spartanburg Methodist College
Spartanburg Methodist College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Spartanburg Methodist College at a Glance
Spartanburg Methodist College (SMC) is a private college in Saxon, South Carolina, United States, with a Spartanburg postal address. The college is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and enrolled 1,220 students for the 2025 fall semester.
1911
115 years old
$28M
$27.6 million (2025)
1,220
49
Identity
Is Spartanburg Methodist College Worth It?
At a value score of 30/100, Spartanburg Methodist College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $42,895 — 20% below average — while paying $14,580/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 41% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Spartanburg Methodist College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Spartanburg Methodist College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #47 of 138 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 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #2 | Goshen College | 56 | $14,493 | $51,943 |
| #3 | College of Our Lady of the Elms | 49 | $17,545 | $51,540 |
| #4 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #5 | Oakland City University | 48 | $15,210 | $43,283 |
| #6 | Martin Luther College | 46 | $18,463 | $47,491 |
| #47 | Spartanburg Methodist College | 30 | $14,580 | $42,895 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Spartanburg Methodist College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Spartanburg Methodist College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Spartanburg Methodist College. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $14,580/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
Similar Colleges in SC
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Spartanburg, SC
- Student Body
- 1,116 students
- Admission Rate
- 78%
- Graduation Rate
- 41%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $14,580
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $42,895
- Median Student Debt
- $12,000