University of South Carolina-Columbia generates around the national average return on investment, ranking at the 51.8th percentile with solid but not exceptional performance relative to educational costs. Graduates earn a median of $62,177 ten years after enrollment, placing USC Columbia at the 76th percentile nationally and representing strong absolute outcomes. However, these earnings fall $21,590 below expectations based on student academic preparation and demographics, indicating modestly below average value-added performance. Compared to peer institutions, USC Columbia graduates earn $1,634 more annually while carrying $1,500 more in debt, resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35. The return profile reflects an institution that attracts academically strong students who achieve solid career outcomes, though the premium relative to alternatives may not fully justify the additional educational investment. Students should weigh USC Columbia's strong absolute earnings against elevated costs and modest value-added returns when evaluating 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.
Latest FE earnings field: 10-year
Lower quartile, 10-year field
Upper quartile, 10-year field
The earnings distribution at USC Columbia shows meaningful variation in post-graduation outcomes, with the 25th to 75th percentile range spanning $41,018 to $93,729. This 2.3:1 ratio indicates that program choice and career path significantly influence long-term financial success. Low-income graduates earn $54,500, demonstrating the university's effectiveness in supporting economic mobility for students from disadvantaged backgrounds despite overall value-added challenges.
Earnings outcomes at USC Columbia reveal considerable variation across academic programs and career trajectories. The gap between the 25th percentile ($41,018) and 75th percentile ($93,729) represents substantial upside potential for students entering high-demand fields. Actuarial Science graduates lead with median earnings of $80,943, while Banking and Financial Support Services graduates earn $79,318, both reflecting the university's strength in quantitative business disciplines. Earnings demonstrate consistent upward trajectory, growing by 22.8% between the six-year and ten-year measurement points. With nearly 6,000 graduates included in the ten-year earnings cohort, these figures reflect outcomes across USC Columbia's diverse academic portfolio rather than isolated high-earning programs. The earnings spread indicates that program selection significantly influences long-term financial outcomes, with STEM and business-oriented fields commanding premium salaries while liberal arts and social service fields cluster toward the lower end of the distribution.
Financial justification for the investment.
The earnings distribution at USC Columbia shows meaningful variation in post-graduation outcomes, with the 25th to 75th percentile range spanning $41,018 to $93,729. This 2.3:1 ratio indicates that program choice and career path significantly influence long-term financial success. Low-income graduates earn $54,500, demonstrating the university's effectiveness in supporting economic mobility for students from disadvantaged backgrounds despite overall value-added challenges.
Approximately 27.4% of USC Columbia graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both immediate workforce entry and advanced education. This continuation rate suggests that many students use their undergraduate education as preparation for careers requiring graduate degrees, potentially explaining some of the gaps between expected and actual earnings at the bachelor's level.
Program mix and student pathways explain much of the earnings story.
Program-level earnings reveal USC Columbia's distinctive strengths in business and finance disciplines that drive overall institutional performance. Actuarial Science leads with $80,943 median earnings, while Banking and Financial Support Services produces $79,318, both reflecting strong market demand for quantitative business skills. Engineering programs including Mechanical Engineering ($78,911) and Artificial Intelligence ($78,153) cluster in the upper ranges, providing consistent high-earning career paths. Health sciences show variation, with Adult Health Nursing earning $66,230 while Behavioral Aspects of Health produces $43,924, reflecting different career trajectories within the health sector. Liberal arts and social sciences programs typically generate earnings between $40,000-$55,000, appealing to students prioritizing intellectual development and graduate school preparation over immediate financial returns. The program diversity allows USC Columbia to serve students with varying career goals while maintaining overall strong earning potential driven by business and professional disciplines.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
