Cost & ROI · 2026
Is University of South Carolina-Union worth it?
Pay $8,065/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $33,699 ten years out — about 4.2× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: B.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
University of South Carolina-Union vs South Carolina avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical South Carolina college and the typical US college.
| Metric | University of South Carolina-Union | South Carolina avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▲ $8,065 | $16,627 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▼ $33,699 | $45,070 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▲ $11,000 | $22,931 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▼ 47.6% | 44.6% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▼ 62.2% | 72.6% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $76,448 over four years. Most students get $11,047/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $11,000 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 33% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median University of South Carolina-Union grad earns about -$452,040 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about University of South Carolina-Union
The average student at University of South Carolina-Union pays $8,065 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $19,112 published sticker price. That is below the SC average net price of $16,627.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $33,699 — below the SC median of $45,070. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $11,000, roughly $119 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a manageable load at about 33% of one year's median earnings.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper South Carolina colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of University of South Carolina-Union.
Graniteville, SC · Public Aiken Technical College A+ Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at University of South Carolina-Union?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $8,065 per year. That's $11,047/yr in financial aid against the $19,112 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $32,260.
How much do University of South Carolina-Union graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, University of South Carolina-Union graduates earn a median of $33,699 per year — below the national average of $50,834. That's about 4.2× the annual net cost.
How much debt do University of South Carolina-Union graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $11,000 — about $119/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 6.3% of students take federal loans.
Is University of South Carolina-Union worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns University of South Carolina-Union a value grade of B — top 27% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $8,065/yr, earn $33,699/yr ten years out, ROI score of 10.45. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at University of South Carolina-Union?
10.1% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 6.3% take federal student loans. On average, students get $11,047 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at University of South Carolina-Union?
In-state tuition is $7,558 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $18,238 per year — a difference of $10,680/yr or $42,720 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at University of South Carolina-Union?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $7,340. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $12,638. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →