Charleston Southern University ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$124,120
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$5,606/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
22.1 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
-10%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
One year after attending Charleston Southern University, the median earnings are $40,736. The median debt for students is $26,471. The in-state tuition is $31,030. 52.6% of students receive financial aid.
Five years after attending, the median earnings are $40,606. Ten years after attending, the median earnings are $45,898. The graduation rate is 46%, and the retention rate is 61.9%.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$31,030
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,471
Median Earnings (5yr)
$40,606
Graduation Rate
46%
Receive Financial Aid
53%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $70,328 | 469% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $66,480 | 407% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $36,021 | -84% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $58,569 | 280% |
| Biology, General | $35,200 | -97% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $37,342 | -62% |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | $58,363 | 276% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $0 | N/A |
| Psychology, General | $37,652 | -57% |
| Design and Applied Arts | $38,545 | -43% |
| Communication and Media Studies | $35,818 | -87% |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $0 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
-10%
20yr ROI
-2%
20yr ROI
42%
20yr ROI
89%
20yr ROI
1%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.