South Carolina State University
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$44,240
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$-4,936/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
N/A years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
-323%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
South Carolina State University's in-state tuition costs $11,060. One year after graduation, alumni earn $30,829, which is a positive return on investment. Five years after graduation, earnings are $30,064, and ten years after graduation, earnings increase to $38,262. The median debt for students is $31,000, and 65.8% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio, comparing the median debt to the one-year earnings, is approximately 1.0. This indicates that the median debt is roughly equal to one year's earnings. The break-even timeline, which is the time it takes for earnings to surpass the cost of tuition, is less than one year.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$11,060
Median Debt at Graduation
$31,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$30,064
Graduation Rate
32%
Receive Financial Aid
66%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology, General. | $44,240 | $34,839 | N/A |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General. | $44,240 | $31,164 | N/A |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | $44,240 | $41,356 | 187% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | $44,240 | $33,661 | N/A |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | $44,240 | $55,378 | 821% |
| Communication and Media Studies. | $44,240 | $31,408 | N/A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $44,240 | $31,372 | N/A |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | $44,240 | $86,578 | 2232% |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | $44,240 | $37,867 | 30% |
| Business/Commerce, General. | $44,240 | $0 | N/A |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $44,240 | $0 | N/A |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | $44,240 | $52,588 | 695% |
Peer Comparison
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
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.