Students at the University of South Carolina-Columbia achieve consistently strong earnings outcomes that place the university among the top performers nationally for graduate financial success.
The institution excels at converting access into meaningful career advancement, particularly for students from diverse economic backgrounds who benefit from USC-Columbia's flagship resources and alumni network.
Azimuth ranks the University of South Carolina-Columbia among the top public universities nationwide for overall value, reflecting its strong position as a flagship research institution. USC-Columbia delivers consistently solid long-term earnings outcomes, with graduates earning a median of $62,177 ten years after enrollment, placing the university well above average nationally for graduate earnings. The institution serves as a classic example of a "Selective Achievers" university—one that maintains higher admission standards while still delivering strong economic outcomes for the students it enrolls.
What distinguishes USC-Columbia is its ability to balance academic selectivity with meaningful career preparation across a diverse range of programs. While the university enrolls a smaller share of Pell Grant recipients compared to many public institutions, the students who do attend—including nearly 20% who are first-generation college students—see strong graduation rates and solid earnings outcomes. The university's location in South Carolina's capital city provides access to government, business, and healthcare opportunities that translate into stable career pathways.
As a large public research university, USC-Columbia offers the comprehensive academic breadth and alumni network that students expect from a flagship institution, combined with the financial outcomes that justify the investment for most families who can access it.
The University of South Carolina-Columbia's program portfolio reflects the breadth expected from a major flagship research university, with particular strength in business, engineering, and health-related fields. Banking and Financial Support Services stands out as the university's economic engine, combining substantial enrollment of 536 graduates with solid median earnings of $55,190, creating the highest aggregate return among all programs. This program exemplifies USC-Columbia's strength in preparing students for South Carolina's growing financial services sector.
Engineering programs deliver some of the university's strongest individual earnings outcomes, with Electrical and Electronics Engineering graduates earning $71,854 despite the program's smaller scale of 30 graduates. This pattern reflects USC-Columbia's ability to maintain high-quality technical programs that compete effectively with specialized engineering schools. The large Behavioral Aspects of Health program, enrolling 399 students with median earnings of $30,437, demonstrates the university's commitment to preparing students for healthcare and social service careers that offer meaningful work even if not the highest immediate salaries.
The range from Cinematography and Film/Video Production at $20,322 to Electrical Engineering at over $71,000 illustrates USC-Columbia's comprehensive academic mission, serving students with diverse career interests while maintaining strong outcomes across most fields. This breadth allows students to pursue their academic passions while still benefiting from the university's overall reputation and alumni network in building successful careers.
Graduates of the University of South Carolina-Columbia achieve solid long-term financial outcomes that reflect the institution's position as a flagship public research university. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $62,177, placing USC-Columbia well above the national average for public universities and in the top quartile for graduate earnings. The university's strong performance in this area demonstrates its effectiveness in preparing students for careers that offer both immediate earning potential and long-term growth opportunities.
The university's program mix drives much of this earnings strength, with particular standouts in business and engineering fields. Banking and Financial Support Services represents USC-Columbia's highest aggregate return program, combining strong enrollment of 536 graduates with solid median earnings of $55,190. Electrical and Electronics Engineering delivers the highest individual earnings at $71,854 for its 30 graduates, while the large Behavioral Aspects of Health program enrolls 399 students with more moderate early-career earnings of $30,437. This pattern reflects USC-Columbia's comprehensive academic portfolio, where students can choose between high-earning technical fields and broader liberal arts programs that offer different but still viable career pathways.
The university's location in Columbia, South Carolina's capital, provides graduates with access to diverse employment opportunities in government, healthcare, business, and emerging industries, contributing to the institution's above-average earnings performance and helping explain why USC-Columbia graduates consistently achieve strong financial outcomes across multiple career paths.
Affordability at the University of South Carolina-Columbia varies significantly by family income level, reflecting the institution's position as a flagship public university. Low-income students pay approximately $14,421 annually after aid, which is reasonable for a research university of this caliber, while middle-income families face net prices around $22,744 per year. Higher-income families pay about $29,493 annually, representing the full cost of attendance at a major public research institution. These price points place USC-Columbia in the middle range nationally, neither exceptionally affordable nor prohibitively expensive for most families.
Debt levels at USC-Columbia are manageable relative to the earnings outcomes graduates achieve. Typical federal student loan debt is $21,500, which aligns well with the university's median graduate earnings of $62,177 ten years out. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $27,000, reflecting the choices many families make to invest in their student's education at a flagship institution. The university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates are successfully managing their debt obligations after graduation.
What makes USC-Columbia's affordability story compelling is the relationship between upfront costs and long-term outcomes. While net prices are higher than at some regional public universities, the earnings premium graduates achieve helps justify the investment for families who can manage the initial expense. The combination of reasonable debt levels and strong post-graduation earnings creates a sustainable financial model for most students and families.
University Of South Carolina-Columbia Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
