At $22,886/yr net price, South University-Columbia graduates earn $34,421/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $421/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $22,886 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $91,544 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $34,421/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$421/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 217.4 years |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,123 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $22,895/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $22,854/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Certificate | $98,736 | $46,988 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $91,613 | $59,405 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $66,883 | $23,592 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master | $45,207 | $41,000 |
| Information Science/Studies. | Bachelor | $44,418 | $45,268 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $43,489 | $23,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $42,799 | $46,193 |
| Public Administration. | Master | $41,007 | $52,542 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $39,986 | $46,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Master | $37,478 | $41,000 |
Analysis
The financial picture at South University-Columbia is weak, and the numbers point to one program carrying the whole school. Median earnings ten years out sit at $34,421, which is below what many bachelor's holders earn and barely above the debt you take on to get there. The 10% retention rate is the loudest warning sign here: nine out of ten students who start don't come back. If you enroll and leave without a degree, you keep the debt and lose the earnings bump.
Nursing is the one clear win. Graduates earn roughly $66,883 against about $23,592 in debt, a ratio that actually works. If you come here for the RN track and finish, the math pays off. Nothing else on the list does. Information Science graduates earn $44,418 but carry over $45,000 in debt. Business Administration is worse: under $40,000 in earnings against $46,000 in debt. Criminal Justice graduates earn $34,420, near the school median, while owing more than $42,000. Outside nursing, you borrow more than you'll make in a year and earn wages that don't justify it.
The net price problem is specific and blunt: it barely moves by income. Whether your family earns under $30,000 or up to $48,000, you pay about $22,880 a year. There is no meaningful discount for low-income families here, so the sticker cost lands hardest on the people least able to absorb it.
This school is a good fit only if you are set on the nursing program and confident you'll finish it. For any other major, the debt loads and earnings make this a bad financial bet, and the retention rate means the odds of finishing anything are low. If you're considering business, IT, or criminal justice, look at a public university where the cost and completion odds are better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South University-Columbia worth the cost?
South University-Columbia's $22,886 annual cost produces graduates earning $34,421 after 10 years, which is below average for college graduates. The nursing programs offer better returns with some graduates earning $66,000-$98,000, but other programs struggle to justify the investment.
What are the best paying programs at South University-Columbia?
Nursing programs at South University-Columbia lead earnings with graduates making $66,000-$98,000 annually. Health administration and information science programs produce much lower returns around $44,000-$45,000, barely above the overall graduate average.
How much debt do South University-Columbia graduates have?
South University-Columbia graduates carry a median debt of $26,123. With average earnings of $34,421, this creates a challenging debt-to-income ratio that takes years to pay off.
Does South University-Columbia have good financial aid?
The net price of $22,886 at South University-Columbia is relatively high for a regional school. Students should carefully compare financial aid packages and consider whether the expected earnings in their chosen field will cover the costs.