Compare 12 Political Economy. programs in South Carolina. Average earnings: $47,810.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Political Economy tells a different story. Across 12 programs, earnings range from $28,598 to $59,501—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Presbyterian College's Political Economy program leads with graduates earning $59,501, well above the $47,810 average. Furman University follows at $57,998, while Clemson University rounds out the top three at $57,948. These outcomes demonstrate that program-specific factors drive career success more than institutional prestige.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Clemson graduates borrow $21,500 and face just an 8.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. Presbyterian College offers the highest earnings but with a 21% family burden when parent loans are included, showing the best choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Presbyterian CollegePrivate | $59,501 | 19 | $26,000 | Good | $26,491 | Challenging |
| #2 | Furman UniversityPrivate | $57,998 | 67 | $23,250 | Good | $54,750 | High |
| #3 | Clemson UniversityPublic | $57,948 | 97 | $21,500 | Good | $35,463 | Challenging |
| #4 | $52,055 | 49 | $21,096 | Good | $33,899 | High | |
| #5 | Wofford CollegePrivate | $50,471 | 23 | $25,732 | Manageable | $58,390 | High |
| #6 | $49,917 | 177 | $21,500 | Good | $31,393 | High | |
| #7 | $48,239 | 45 | $23,750 | Manageable | $35,414 | High | |
| #8 | College Of CharlestonPublic | $46,124 | 120 | $23,250 | Manageable | $35,971 | High |
| #9 | $44,353 | 12 | $22,310 | Manageable | $14,836 | Challenging | |
| #10 | Winthrop UniversityPublic | $39,598 | 25 | $26,975 | Challenging | $23,888 | High |
| #11 | Claflin UniversityPrivate | $38,913 | 10 | $29,000 | Challenging | $24,579 | High |
| #12 | $28,598 | 16 | $27,000 | High | $17,787 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
