At $9,283/yr net price, University of South Carolina-Sumter graduates earn $42,437/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $8,437/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $9,283 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $37,132 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $42,437/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$8,437/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 36.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,024/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,692/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,803/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,369/yr |
| $110,001+ | $14,270/yr |
The Risk Factor
36.1% of students at University of South Carolina-Sumter graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
University of South Carolina-Sumter gives you a low-cost, low-debt entry point with modest payoff. As a public two-year school, your median debt sits near a single year's net price, so you won't leave buried in loans. The catch is the 36% graduation rate: if you don't finish, you carry cost without the credential that raises earnings.
The $42,437 median earnings ten years out reflect a two-year credential, not a bachelor's. That number works if you use USC Sumter as a transfer stepping stone into the four-year USC system or a nearby program, where finishing a bachelor's lifts your earning power. Treated as a final stop, the return is thin for the Sumter regional job market.
No bachelor-level program salary data is listed here, so there's no way to point you toward which specific fields pay off at this campus. Judge any program by whether it transfers cleanly toward a degree you'll actually complete.
The main financial risk is non-completion. With roughly two of every three students not graduating on schedule, the biggest threat to your money is starting and stopping. Debt is small, but a stalled transfer wastes tuition and time.
Net price scales sharply with income. Under $30k, you pay about $6,024. over $110k, closer to $14,270. If your family earns under $48k, this is one of the cheaper ways to knock out general-education credits before transferring. Higher-income families pay more than double and should weigh whether starting directly at a four-year school makes more sense.
This school fits you if you want an affordable, low-risk launch toward a bachelor's and you're committed to transferring and finishing. If you need a degree that stands on its own for immediate earnings, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of South Carolina-Sumter worth the cost compared to other colleges?
With a net price of $9,283 and 10-year earnings of $42,437, USC-Sumter offers affordable tuition but below-average earning potential. The low debt load of $9,250 helps offset the modest salary outcomes.
What is the graduation rate at University of South Carolina-Sumter and does it affect value?
USC-Sumter has a 36% graduation rate, which is concerning for return on investment. Students who don't graduate often still carry debt without the degree benefits.
How much debt do University of South Carolina-Sumter graduates typically have?
Graduates carry a median debt of $9,250, which is relatively low compared to national averages. This manageable debt load is one of the school's main financial advantages.
Which programs at University of South Carolina-Sumter have the best job prospects?
As a two-year branch campus, USC-Sumter primarily offers associate degrees and transfer programs. Students planning to transfer to the main Columbia campus for bachelor's degrees typically see better long-term earning potential.