At $24,532/yr net price, University of South Carolina-Columbia graduates earn $62,177/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $28,177/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $24,532 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $98,128 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $62,177/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$28,177/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 77.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,421/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,602/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,744/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,936/yr |
| $110,001+ | $29,493/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $132,531 | $44,143 |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $114,145 | $113,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $95,102 | $41,000 |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Master | $91,986 | $30,442 |
| International Business. | Master | $90,049 | $41,000 |
| Chemistry. | Doctoral | $83,546 | |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $71,854 | $27,000 |
| International Business. | Bachelor | $70,776 | $25,174 |
| Chemical Engineering. | Bachelor | $70,680 | $26,241 |
| Public Health. | Doctoral | $69,338 |
The Risk Factor
77.7% of students at University of South Carolina-Columbia graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 22% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
The financial picture at University of South Carolina-Columbia is solid. You pay about $24,500 a year net, graduate at a 77.7% clip, and leave with median debt near $21,500 that median earnings of $62,177 can cover. That debt-to-earnings ratio is healthy, and the 90.74% retention rate means you're unlikely to pay for a year that doesn't lead anywhere.
The engineering programs are where the money is. Electrical engineering grads clear $71,854, chemical engineering hits $70,680, and both pay back their higher debt loads ($26,000-$27,000) fast. Mechanical engineering is the best deal of the group: strong pay at $66,670 with the lowest debt on the list at $22,750. International Business is the outlier that isn't engineering, paying $70,776, which reflects how well USC's business track places into Columbia and broader Southeast markets.
The risk is picking a major outside these fields. Only bachelor-level engineering and international business earnings are shown here, and all five top programs cluster tightly around $63,000-$72,000. If you enroll planning on a lower-paying field, your outcome could sit well below the $62,177 median, while your debt stays the same. Pick your major deliberately.
Net price scales hard with income. Under $30k, you pay $14,421. over $110k, you pay $29,493. That's more than double for higher earners. For families under $48k, the sub-$18,000 price makes an engineering degree here one of the stronger returns you'll find at a public school in the region.
This school fits you if you're aiming at engineering or business and can commit to it early. If you're undecided or leaning toward a low-earning field, the payoff gets shaky, and you should compare the price against your expected major before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of South Carolina-Columbia worth the cost?
USC-Columbia offers decent value with graduates earning $62,177 after 10 years and median debt of $21,500, making payments manageable for most students. The nursing and pharmacy programs provide strong returns, but other majors may struggle to justify the $24,532 annual net price.
What are the highest paying majors at University of South Carolina-Columbia?
Nursing graduates earn $132,531 annually while pharmacy majors make $114,145, making these programs the clear financial winners. Business and international business majors earn around $90,000-95,000, which is solid but not exceptional for the investment required.
How much student debt do University of South Carolina-Columbia graduates have?
The median debt load is $21,500, which is reasonable compared to national averages. With average earnings of $62,177, most graduates can handle their loan payments without major financial stress.
Does University of South Carolina-Columbia have good financial aid?
The net price of $24,532 suggests moderate financial aid effectiveness, though this varies significantly by family income. Students should carefully compare aid packages since the 77% graduation rate indicates some struggle to complete their degrees.