Anderson University
#10 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in South CarolinaBottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 8.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $8.9 over 20 years. Ranked #10 in Best Criminal Justice Colleges in South Carolina.
Every $1 spent returns $8.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $748,412.
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What The Data Says
A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
Every $1 invested returns $8.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Anderson University Matters
Anderson University is a private university in Anderson, SC and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 3,183
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 54
- Primary Strengths
- Education, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Visual & Performing Arts
Why students choose Anderson University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 55% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1100–1280. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $23,544 a year after grants and scholarships — 37% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $42,101 ten years after enrolling — 3% above the typical college, against $26,700 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.61 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of about 3,183 students, Anderson University is an inviting choice for those who are drawn to a close-knit campus experience. It’s especially appealing for individuals pursuing degrees in education, business and marketing, health professions, visual and performing arts, or biology and biomedical studies. The acceptance rate is at 55%, making it accessible while still maintaining a standard that attracts dedicated students.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $42,101 after ten years, which is a solid starting point for building a career. This figure indicates that those who study here tend to find their footing relatively well in the job market. The university’s commitment to affordability is notable, with a net price of $23,544 after financial aid, making it a reasonable investment for many families.
When it comes to financial considerations, the median debt for graduates stands at $26,700. This level of debt is manageable for the average graduate, especially given the earning potential. Students who thrive at Anderson University often share a passion for learning and community engagement, making it a supportive environment for personal and professional growth.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Anderson University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Anderson University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Anderson University, located in Anderson, South Carolina, admits a majority of applicants, with an acceptance rate of roughly 55%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,202. The school reports a graduation rate of roughly 67%.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Anderson University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
When weighing the true cost of attending Anderson University, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $34,970 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $23,544 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,188 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $26,700.
What Families Actually Pay
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Anderson University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Anderson University report median earnings of $42,101; prospective students should weigh that figure against the program's cost when calculating return on investment.
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
How Anderson Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Anderson University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Anderson University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $23,544/year ($94,176 total). Graduates earn $42,101 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $842,588 in total earnings — a net gain of $748,412 (8.9× your investment). The median debt is $26,700, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 67% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
Top Programs
The fields Anderson University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Anderson University's most popular programs, with median pay and projected growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Anderson University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements +
Anderson University, located in Anderson, South Carolina, admits a majority of applicants, with an acceptance rate of roughly 55%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,202. The school reports a graduation rate of roughly 67%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Anderson University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid +
When weighing the true cost of attending Anderson University, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $34,970 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $23,544 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,188 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $26,700.
Is Anderson University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI +
Ten years out, alumni of Anderson University report median earnings of $42,101; prospective students should weigh that figure against the program's cost when calculating return on investment.
How Connected Is Anderson University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks +
Social capital — the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility — runs high at Anderson University, with an economic connectedness score of 1.61 (about 1.0 is the national norm). Its friending bias is low (-0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds genuinely mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Anderson University.
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Anderson University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital — the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility — runs high at Anderson University, with an economic connectedness score of 1.61 (about 1.0 is the national norm). Its friending bias is low (-0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds genuinely mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note