Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 32.0%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 29.4%
- Retention Rate
- 58.8%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $38,262
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $31,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 19:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 28.7%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $329/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $74,576 | |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $52,107 | $56,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $44,189 | |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $41,464 | $59,950 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $36,141 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $34,420 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $32,925 | $31,000 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $32,569 | |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $32,213 | $41,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $30,409 | |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $28,598 | |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $27,822 | |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $27,403 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $26,353 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $25,194 | $30,450 |
Outcomes Overview
South Carolina State graduates earn a median of $38,262 ten years after graduation, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.81. Monthly loan payments of $329 consume about 10% of typical graduate income. The 29% loan repayment rate reflects significant financial strain among alumni. Many graduates enter teaching, engineering, and business fields where starting salaries often lag behind debt obligations. The employment rate of 93% shows strong job placement, but earnings growth remains limited. Engineering and business majors typically see better financial outcomes than education graduates. Despite solid career preparation in STEM and professional fields, the combination of modest earnings and substantial debt creates a weak return on investment for most students.