USC Columbia combines moderately selective admissions with strong economic mobility outcomes. As a Selective Achievers institution, the university produces solid long-term earnings while maintaining academic selectivity, with graduates earning $1,634 more than peer institutions despite negative value-added performance relative to student preparation.
With around the national average outcomes, driven by solid long-term earnings that align with typical expectations for similar institutions
With modestly below average performance, reflecting higher than typical costs relative to the value delivered
With well above average performance, indicating moderate enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students relative to peer institutions
With top-tier performance, reflecting the university's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for enrolled students
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Selective Achievers: strong outcomes, selective access
University of South Carolina-Columbia ranks #219 nationally in Azimuth's comprehensive analysis, with composite performance at the 86.6th percentile. Located in Columbia, South Carolina, this large public research university maintains moderately selective admission standards with a 61.5% acceptance rate while delivering strong post-graduation outcomes.
USC Columbia enrolls 19.0% Pell-eligible students and 19.5% first-generation students, positioning it as a Selective Achievers institution that serves fewer low-income students while producing strong earnings outcomes. The university demonstrates top-tier mobility performance at the 94.5th percentile, reflecting its effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for enrolled students.
Graduates achieve well above average earnings at the 76th percentile nationally, with SAT scores ranking among the highest we track at the 97th percentile. This combination of selective academic standards, controlled access, and strong economic outcomes characterizes USC Columbia's position within the Selective Achievers quadrant.
USC Columbia delivers strong earnings outcomes despite graduates earning below expectations relative to their academic backgrounds. Graduates earn a median of $62,177 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 76th percentile nationally and representing $1,634 more than the peer median of $60,543.
However, actual earnings fall $21,590 below expectations based on student demographics and test scores, placing the university in the modestly below average tier for earnings uplift. Low-income graduates earn $54,500, ranking at the top 25% nationally, indicating strong outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds despite the negative value-added performance.
Students seeking strong post-graduation outcomes at South Carolina's flagship public research university, particularly those interested in business and finance programs. Well-suited for academically competitive students who want selective admission standards with moderate accessibility and proven economic mobility outcomes.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the University Of South Carolina-Columbia hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-south-carolina-columbia/analysis.
USC Columbia admits approximately 61.5% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 5 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places USC Columbia in the moderately selective category, with admission rates between 50-75%.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% shows that USC Columbia maintains somewhat higher selectivity than typical four-year institutions, admitting 16.6 percentage points fewer applicants than the peer average. This level of selectivity means that most academically prepared students have reasonable admission prospects, though the university does maintain academic standards that exclude a significant portion of applicants.
Students with strong academic records should expect favorable admission odds, while those with credentials below the university's typical ranges face more uncertainty. For applicants considering USC Columbia, the moderately selective admission rate suggests the importance of presenting competitive academic credentials while recognizing that admission remains achievable for well-prepared students.
The university's position within South Carolina's higher education system means it attracts strong in-state applicants while competing for qualified out-of-state students. Applicants should approach USC Columbia as a match or safety school if their credentials align with enrolled student profiles, making it an important component of a balanced college application strategy that includes reach, match, and safety options.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
USC Columbia's published cost of attendance reaches $32,840 per year, including $12,688 in in-state tuition, $34,934 for out-of-state students, $12,558 for room and board, and $1,226 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays just $24,532 after financial aid, representing savings of $8,308 from the sticker price.
This net price falls $8,942 above the peer median of $15,590, indicating higher than typical costs for students attending similar institutions. The substantial gap between published prices and actual costs reflects USC Columbia's financial aid programs, though the university remains more expensive than peer institutions even after aid.
Out-of-state students face significantly higher tuition costs that may not be fully offset by financial aid, making cost evaluation particularly important for non-resident applicants. The net price positioning suggests that families should carefully evaluate total costs and available aid before committing, as USC Columbia operates at the higher end of the cost spectrum for public research universities.
Students from lower-income families benefit from more substantial aid packages, while middle and upper-middle-class families may face greater cost pressure relative to alternatives.
USC Columbia graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth over their post-graduation careers. Median earnings rise from $50,621 six years after enrollment to $57,722 at eight years and $62,177 at ten years, representing 22.8% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 5,995 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $21,590 below expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing USC Columbia in the modestly below average tier for earnings uplift relative to student academic preparation.
Low-income graduates earn $54,500, ranking at the top 25% nationally and demonstrating the university's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Earnings span from $41,018 at the 25th percentile to $93,729 at the 75th percentile, reflecting substantial variation across programs and career trajectories.
Approximately 27.4% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education. The earnings distribution shows a 2.3:1 ratio between the top and bottom quartiles, reflecting meaningful differences in program choice and post-graduation career paths.
International Business.
143 graduates
Chemical Engineering, Other.
59 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
30 graduates
Actuarial Science.
260 graduates
Banking and Financial Support Services.
536 graduates
USC Columbia offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for comprehensive ranking analysis. Banking and Financial Support Services leads the portfolio, ranking #44 nationally and #1 in South Carolina, graduating 536 students with median earnings of $79,318 and a value score of 78.9.
Actuarial Science ranks #25 nationally and #1 in South Carolina, graduating 260 students with median earnings of $80,943. Digital Marketing ranks #52 nationally and #1 in South Carolina, graduating 374 students with median earnings of $62,400 and demonstrating strong market demand.
Behavioral Aspects of Health ranks #37 nationally and #1 in South Carolina, graduating 399 students with median earnings of $43,924. Exercise Science and Kinesiology ranks #43 nationally and #2 in South Carolina, graduating 241 students with median earnings of $55,909 and a value score of 80.0.
USC Columbia claims the #1 state ranking in eight different programs, reflecting the university's dominance within South Carolina's higher education landscape across business, health, and applied sciences.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Presbyterian College Higher acceptance rate (10.9 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 58 miles away; similar graduate earnings | SC | 72% | $60,194 | Compare |
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte Higher acceptance rate (18.7 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 92 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NC | 80% | $57,289 | Compare |
Salisbury University Higher acceptance rate (27.1 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | MD | 89% | $61,515 | Compare |
High Point University Higher acceptance rate (15.3 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NC | 77% | $61,389 | Compare |
Presbyterian College Same state (58 miles away) with nearly identical earnings and similar program focus | SC | 72% | $60,194 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
James Madison University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#217 ranked) | VA | 76% | $69,954 | #217 | Compare |
University Of Nevada-Reno Similar quality tier (#215 ranked) | NV | 85% | $60,614 | #215 | Compare |
Florida Gulf Coast University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#210 ranked) | FL | 77% | $54,560 | #210 | Compare |
Eastern Kentucky University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#226 ranked) | KY | 78% | $45,795 | #226 | Compare |
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus Similar quality tier (#232 ranked) | PA | 80% | $63,435 | #232 | Compare |