University of South Carolina-Columbia
Sc · Public · 100% graduation rate
University of South Carolina-Columbia is a public university in Sc with a 100% graduation rate. We track 20 majors with debt-to-earnings ROI analysis. The highest-ROI major is Computer and Information Sciences (grade A), with median debt of $22K and year-5 earnings of $147K. Data comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and NCES IPEDS.
ROI by Major
Debt and earnings data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI grades compare median student debt at graduation to earnings 1 and 5 years after completion, adjusted for NCES IPEDS graduation rates.
| Major | Median Debt | Year 1 Earnings | Year 5 Earnings | ROI Grade | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $22K | $95K | $147K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Mechanical Engineering | $22K | $92K | $129K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $25K | $65K | $89K | B | BUY |
| Marketing | $25K | $65K | $89K | B | BUY |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $25K | $65K | $89K | B | BUY |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $25K | $65K | $89K | B | BUY |
| International Business | $25K | $65K | $89K | B | BUY |
| Accounting and Related Services | $25K | $65K | $89K | B | BUY |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $25K | $65K | $89K | B | BUY |
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations | $25K | $65K | $89K | B | BUY |
| Public Health | $28K | $62K | $86K | B | BUY |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $28K | $62K | $86K | B | BUY |
| Political Science and Government | $25K | $58K | $78K | B | BUY |
| Biology | $25K | $55K | $74K | B | BUY |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $25K | $55K | $74K | B | BUY |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $25K | $48K | $65K | B | BUY |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $25K | $52K | $69K | B | BUY |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $25K | $50K | $67K | B | BUY |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $25K | $42K | $58K | C | BUY |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $25K | $45K | $60K | C | BUY |
Similar Schools in Sc
How University of South Carolina-Columbia Compares
University of South Carolina-Columbia graduates carry a median debt of $25K across tracked majors, which is $589 less than the public universities average of $26K. Year-1 earnings average $62K, about $3K above peers of the same type. Within Sc, the per-major debt average is $27K, so this school sits $2K below the state median. Its composite ROI score of 75 is 3 points above the public universities baseline (72). Graduation rate of 100% is a primary ROI driver, since it determines how many students actually reach the earnings levels listed. Across the full site (2202 schools), the debt average is $26K.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your major. The highest-ROI major at University of South Carolina-Columbia earns a grade of A, with median debt of $22K and year-5 earnings of $147K. Compare debt-to-earnings ratios across majors before deciding.
University of South Carolina-Columbia has a 100% graduation rate. A higher graduation rate generally correlates with better student support and outcomes, which can impact your return on investment.
Median debt varies significantly by major at University of South Carolina-Columbia. For example, Computer and Information Sciences graduates have median debt of $22K. Review the ROI by Major table above for a full breakdown.
The top-earning major is Computer and Information Sciences with median year-5 earnings of $147K. We rank each major by its debt-to-earnings ROI score to help you compare options.
Explore College ROI Data
ROI scores are calculated by comparing median debt at graduation to median earnings 1 and 5 years after completion, weighted by graduation rate. Grades range from A (strong return) to F (poor return).