Presbyterian College
#2 Best Biology Colleges in South Carolina- Graduation Rate
- 56% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $60,194 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $20,528 C-
- 20% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 68% B-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 22.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $22.3 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Biology Colleges in South Carolina.
Every $1 spent returns $22.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,747,404.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 48% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $22.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Presbyterian College Matters
Presbyterian College is a private liberal arts college in Clinton, SC and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 852
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- 66
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, Social Sciences
Why students choose Presbyterian College
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 68% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 980–1200. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $20,528 a year after grants and scholarships — 20% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $60,194 ten years after enrolling — 48% above the typical college, against $26,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.2% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 66% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.60 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of 852 students, Presbyterian College is a close-knit community that suits those seeking a more personalized educational experience. It's especially appealing for individuals interested in studying Business and Marketing, Biology and Biomedical fields, Psychology, Social Sciences, or English and Literature. The acceptance rate of 68% indicates that the college is relatively accessible, making it a solid choice for students who value a collaborative learning environment.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $60,194 within ten years. This figure is significant, as it highlights the potential for a solid return on investment for those who choose to attend. The financial landscape is also manageable; students benefit from a net price of $20,528 after aid, which positions the college as an affordable option for many families. While 33% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating support for those from lower-income backgrounds, the graduation rate stands at 56%, suggesting there are challenges that some students may face in completing their degrees.
Looking at the practical aspects, the median debt for graduates is $26,000, which is a manageable figure for many, especially when considering the earning potential. Students who thrive here tend to appreciate a supportive community and a focus on liberal arts education, which encourages critical thinking and communication skills. Overall, Presbyterian College offers a balanced approach to education, combining a strong academic foundation with a nurturing atmosphere that can help students flourish.
Rankings
- #2 Best Biology Colleges in South Carolina
- #4 Best Business Colleges in South Carolina
- #4 Best Psychology Colleges in South Carolina
- #5 Best Colleges in South Carolina
- #5 Best Bachelor's Programs in South Carolina
- #5 Best Master's Programs in South Carolina
- #8 Best Education Colleges in South Carolina
- #38 Most Affordable Colleges in South Carolina
Can I Get In?
How selective Presbyterian College 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 Presbyterian College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Clinton, South Carolina, Presbyterian College offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 68% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,118. The graduation rate is roughly 56%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 68%
- Retention Rate
- 80%
- SAT Average
- 1118
- ACT Midpoint
- 23
- SAT Range
- 980–1200
- ACT Range
- 21–26
- Full-Time Faculty
- 99%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,263
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.59
- First-Gen Students
- 20%
- Applicants
- 3,329
- Admitted
- 1,977
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 Presbyterian College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Presbyterian College is $44,910, 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 $20,528. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $18,277 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $44,910
- Out-of-State
- $44,910
- Avg Net Price
- $20,528
- Median Debt
- $26,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 33%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 51%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $18,277
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $15,985
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $19,366
- Family Income $110K+
- $27,032
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 Presbyterian College — 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 Presbyterian College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Presbyterian College earn a median of $60,194, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $44,387
- 8 Years
- $54,728
- 10 Years
- $60,194
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.43x
- Earning > $25K
- 65%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (146)
- 53%
- 100% (146)
- 53%
- 100% (146)
- 53%
- 100% (146)
- 53%
How Presbyterian 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 Presbyterian College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Presbyterian College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $20,528/year ($82,112 total). Graduates earn $60,194 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,829,516 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,747,404 (22.3× your investment). The median debt is $26,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 56% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $82,112
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,829,516
- Net Return
- $1,747,404
- ROI Multiple
- 22.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $20,528
- Median Debt
- $26,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 56%
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 Presbyterian College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Presbyterian College 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 1.18%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 2.9% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 40.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $118,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.18%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 40.9%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 2.9%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $160,457
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $1,941,440
- Investment Income
- $-13,688,168
Top Programs
The fields Presbyterian College 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 29% $50,335 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 18% $19,799 early-career
- Psychology 13% $27,119 early-career
- Social Sciences 13% $28,558 early-career
- English & Literature 7% $29,935 early-career
- Physical Sciences 5%
- Education 3% $39,826 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 1%
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 Presbyterian College'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
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- 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
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Presbyterian College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Clinton, South Carolina, Presbyterian College offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 68% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,118. The graduation rate is roughly 56%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Presbyterian College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Presbyterian College is $44,910, 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 $20,528. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $18,277 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,000 in federal student loans.
Is Presbyterian College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Presbyterian College earn a median of $60,194, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Presbyterian College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Presbyterian College 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 1.18%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 2.9% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 40.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $118,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Presbyterian College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Presbyterian College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.60, 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 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Presbyterian College.
- Franklin CollegeFranklin, IN · Close peer62% grad $55,376 earn 70% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Cedar Crest CollegeAllentown, PA · Close peer59% grad $59,460 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied HealthOmaha, NE · Close peer63% grad $65,071 earn 73% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Mount Mercy UniversityCedar Rapids, IA · Close peer57% grad $60,787 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Centenary UniversityHackettstown, NJ · Close peer56% grad $53,726 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar grad rate · similar size · similar net price
- Keuka CollegeKeuka Park, NY · Close peer53% grad $58,289 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Presbyterian College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Presbyterian College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.60, 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 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note