South University-Columbia
- Graduation Rate
- 13% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $34,421 D+
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $27,693 D
- 62% more than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 450
Bottom line: A D overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 6.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $6.3 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $6.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $583,968.
What The Data Says
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A D overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 13% — 78% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $6.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About South University-Columbia
South University-Columbia is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private for-profit Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 450
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, Psychology
Why students choose South University-Columbia
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
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $27,693 a year after grants and scholarships — 62% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $34,421 ten years after enrolling — 16% below the typical college, against $26,123 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Mobility and social-capital data are limited for this school — see what's reported below.
See mobility →Overview
South University-Columbia serves about 450 students, making it an intimate setting for those pursuing degrees in fields like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Psychology, Criminal Justice, and Computer Science & IT. It's a good fit for individuals looking for targeted programs in these areas, especially if small class sizes and personalized attention are priorities. With a graduation rate of just 13%, it's crucial to consider what support systems are in place to help students navigate their educational paths.
Looking at what happens after graduation, students earn an average of $34,421 within ten years. While that figure gives a glimpse into potential earnings, it’s important to weigh it against the cost of attendance. Many students here rely on financial aid, with 58% receiving Pell Grants. This suggests that a significant portion of the student body comes from low-income backgrounds, which can impact both affordability and access to resources during and after their studies.
When it comes to the financial side of things, the net price after aid stands at $27,693, and students typically leave with median debt of $26,123. For those who thrive here, it often involves a commitment to their education and a proactive approach to leveraging the resources available. It's essential to consider whether the financial and academic environment aligns with your goals and expectations for a successful career.
Can I Get In?
How selective South University-Columbia 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 South University-Columbia? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
South University-Columbia, located in Columbia, South Carolina, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 13%.
- Retention Rate
- 57%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 34%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,075
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.53
- First-Gen Students
- 47%
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 South University-Columbia? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at South University-Columbia is $18,145, 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 $27,693. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $26,588 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,123 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $18,145
- Out-of-State
- $18,145
- Avg Net Price
- $27,693
- Median Debt
- $26,123
- Pell Grant Rate
- 58%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 65%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $26,588
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $30,474
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $32,022
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 South University-Columbia — 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 South University-Columbia Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of South University-Columbia report median earnings of $34,421, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $34,115
- 8 Years
- $32,897
- 10 Years
- $34,421
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.76x
- Earning > $25K
- 58%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (1)
- 8%
- 100% (1)
- 8%
- 100% (1)
- 8%
- 100% (1)
- 8%
How South 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 South University-Columbia Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, South University-Columbia delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $27,693/year ($110,772 total). Graduates earn $34,421 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $694,740 in total earnings — a net gain of $583,968 (6.3× your investment). The median debt is $26,123, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 13% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $110,772
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $694,740
- Net Return
- $583,968
- ROI Multiple
- 6.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $27,693
- Median Debt
- $26,123
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 13%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Top Programs
The fields South University-Columbia 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.
- Health Professions 79% $79,470 early-career
- Business & Marketing 12% $47,511 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 4% $52,777 early-career
- Psychology 4% $31,886 early-career
- Criminal Justice 1% $40,898 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 South University-Columbia'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
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Software Developer$132,270 · 25% growthVulnerable 40
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into South University-Columbia? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
South University-Columbia, located in Columbia, South Carolina, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 13%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend South University-Columbia? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at South University-Columbia is $18,145, 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 $27,693. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $26,588 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,123 in federal student loans.
Is South University-Columbia Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of South University-Columbia report median earnings of $34,421, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to South University-Columbia.
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- Eastern International College-Jersey CityJersey City, NJ · Close peer31% grad $35,008 earn 70% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size
- Beckfield College-FlorenceFlorence, KY · Close peer31% grad $37,114 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
