Winthrop University
Winthrop University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Winthrop University at a Glance
Winthrop University is a public university in Rock Hill, South Carolina, United States. It was founded in 1886 by David Bancroft Johnson, who served as the superintendent of Columbia, South Carolina, schools. He received a grant from Robert Charles Winthrop, a philanthropist from Boston, Massachusetts, to establish the school.
1886
140 years old
$92M
$92.1 million (2025)
5,287
4,289 undergrad · 998 grad
418
425 acres
Identity
Is Winthrop University Worth It?
Winthrop University offers moderate value at $15,343/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $47,185, which is 12% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 59% 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.
With median debt of $26,975 representing 57% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
How Winthrop University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in SC
Ranked #49 of 158 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 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #5 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #6 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #49 | Winthrop University | 45 | $15,343 | $47,185 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Winthrop University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in SC.
Best Programs at Winthrop University
The highest-earning program at Winthrop University is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $37,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $17,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Winthrop University earns $37,300, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $17,300. 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: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $15,343/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 | $37,300 | $37,300 | $27,000 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $33,300 | $33,300 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $32,400 | $32,400 | $27,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $32,100 | $32,100 | $29,500 |
| Social Work | $30,800 | $30,800 | $27,000 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $30,700 | $30,700 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $28,900 | $28,900 | $28,781 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $27,400 | $27,400 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $26,900 | $26,900 | $31,000 |
| Sociology | $25,400 | $25,400 | $27,000 |
| History | $25,100 | $25,100 | $29,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $23,900 | $23,900 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $23,500 | $23,500 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $22,800 | $22,800 | $27,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $21,300 | $21,300 | $26,867 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $20,400 | $20,400 | $28,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $17,300 | $17,300 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in SC
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Rock Hill, SC
- Student Body
- 3,523 students
- Admission Rate
- 79%
- Graduation Rate
- 59%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $15,343
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $47,185
- Median Student Debt
- $26,975