Lander University
#8 Best Business Colleges in South Carolina- Graduation Rate
- 49% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $42,396 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $15,363 C+
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 81% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 16.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $16.3 over 20 years. Ranked #8 in Best Business Colleges in South Carolina.
Every $1 spent returns $16.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $939,339.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Every $1 invested returns $16.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Lander University Matters
Lander University is a public college in Greenwood, SC and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by an above-average 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
- Public College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate College
- Enrollment
- 3,397
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education, Psychology
Why students choose Lander 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
Accessible — admits about 81% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 950–1178. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $15,363 a year after grants and scholarships — 10% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $42,396 ten years after enrolling — 4% above the typical college, against $25,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 78% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.15 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of 3,397 students and an acceptance rate of 81%, Lander University is a welcoming place for those looking to dive into fields like Business & Marketing, Health Professions, and Psychology. What stands out here is the supportive environment that encourages students to explore their interests while also focusing on practical skills. This school is a solid choice for individuals who appreciate a smaller campus feel but still want access to a variety of academic programs.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $42,396 within ten years. That’s a reasonable figure that suggests many graduates find steady work in their chosen fields. The affordability of Lander is also noteworthy; with a net price of $15,363, it positions itself as a viable option for many families. The fact that 39% of students receive Pell Grants indicates that financial support is available for those who need it, making higher education accessible to a broader range of individuals.
On the practical side, the median debt for graduates stands at $25,000, which is manageable for many, especially given the earning potential. Students who thrive here are often those who are proactive and engaged, utilizing the resources available to them. This is a school where commitment to education and community can lead to solid career paths and fulfilling lives after graduation.
Rankings
- #8 Best Business Colleges in South Carolina
- #9 Best Computer Science Colleges in South Carolina
- #9 Best Data Science Colleges in South Carolina
- #12 Best Nursing Colleges in South Carolina
- #13 Best Bachelor's Programs in South Carolina
- #13 Best Master's Programs in South Carolina
- #13 Best Education Colleges in South Carolina
- #13 Best Psychology Colleges in South Carolina
Can I Get In?
How selective Lander 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 Lander University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Greenwood, South Carolina, Lander University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 81%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,057. The graduation rate is roughly 49%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 81%
- Retention Rate
- 70%
- SAT Average
- 1057
- ACT Midpoint
- 21
- SAT Range
- 950–1178
- ACT Range
- 16–23
- Full-Time Faculty
- 54%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,527
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.52
- First-Gen Students
- 32%
- Applicants
- 4,663
- Admitted
- 3,143
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 Lander University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Lander University is $21,300, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,363. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,450 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $11,700
- Out-of-State
- $21,300
- Avg Net Price
- $15,363
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 39%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 49%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $11,450
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $11,778
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $13,842
- Family Income $110K+
- $19,102
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Lander University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Lander University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Lander University report median earnings of $42,396, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $36,851
- 8 Years
- $40,190
- 10 Years
- $42,396
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.59x
- Earning > $25K
- 61%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (163)
- 29%
- 100% (163)
- 29%
- 100% (163)
- 29%
- 100% (163)
- 29%
How Lander Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Lander University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Lander University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $15,363/year ($61,452 total). Graduates earn $42,396 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,000,791 in total earnings — a net gain of $939,339 (16.3× your investment). The median debt is $25,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 49% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $61,452
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,000,791
- Net Return
- $939,339
- ROI Multiple
- 16.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $15,363
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 49%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Lander University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Lander University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.98%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 7.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 12.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $83,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.98%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 12.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 7.7%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $113,176
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $289,185
Top Programs
The fields Lander University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 34% $45,296 early-career
- Health Professions 14% $66,763 early-career
- Education 9% $36,562 early-career
- Psychology 7% $31,771 early-career
- Social Sciences 6% $40,871 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 4% $38,487 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 3% $44,638 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 3% $37,831 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Lander University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Lander University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Greenwood, South Carolina, Lander University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 81%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,057. The graduation rate is roughly 49%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Lander University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Lander University is $21,300, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,363. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,450 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
Is Lander University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Lander University report median earnings of $42,396, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Lander University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Lander University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.98%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 7.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 12.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $83,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Lander University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at Lander University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.15, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually 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 Lander University.
- Southern Arkansas University Main CampusMagnolia, AR · Close peer48% grad $42,386 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Winthrop UniversityRock Hill, SC · Close peer59% grad $47,185 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Fort Lewis CollegeDurango, CO · Close peer39% grad $46,349 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of South Carolina AikenAiken, SC · Close peer40% grad $45,603 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Vermont State UniversityRandolph, VT · Close peer48% grad $50,331 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Arkansas-Fort SmithFort Smith, AR · Close peer37% grad $41,102 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Lander University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at Lander University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.15, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note