Economics at Charleston Southern University

Based on peer economics programs in South Carolina, this bachelor's degree leads to estimated first-year earnings around $48,149—right at the state median but several thousand below the national benchmark of $51,722. The estimated debt load of $24,102 produces a manageable 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly half their first-year salary. While this ratio suggests reasonable affordability, it's worth noting that similar programs at Furman produce notably higher starting salaries ($55,615), though likely with different career paths and student networks.

The challenge here is uncertainty. With too few graduates for the Department of Education to report actual outcomes, these figures come from what comparable economics programs across South Carolina typically produce. Charleston Southern's 76% admission rate and lower average SAT scores (1056) suggest it serves a different student population than research universities like Clemson or USC-Columbia, which may affect both the rigor of preparation and access to competitive employers in finance and consulting where economics majors often land.

For families considering this program, the estimated debt burden appears manageable if those earnings materialize, but the lack of school-specific data makes this a leap of faith. If your child has admission offers from other SC schools with reported economics outcomes, those provide clearer pictures of actual graduate success.