Computer and Information Sciences at South Carolina State University

A $30,082 starting salary for a computer science degree should alarm any parent—this is less than half what the typical South Carolina CS graduate earns ($65,808), and ranks in just the 10th percentile statewide. When nearby USC-Columbia produces graduates earning $68,597 and even Clemson tops $73,000, the gap becomes starkly clear. While South Carolina State serves a predominantly Pell-eligible student body (68%), the outcome data suggests students aren't gaining the technical skills or industry connections that make CS degrees valuable.

The debt load of $31,000 exceeds both national and state medians for CS programs, creating a nearly 1:1 debt-to-earnings ratio that's unusual for a field known for strong returns. Most CS graduates can reasonably expect to out-earn their debt within months; here, that first-year salary barely covers the debt total. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means individual outcomes vary widely, but the pattern is concerning enough to warrant serious consideration.

For families specifically interested in South Carolina State's community or mission, understand that this appears to be a program struggling to deliver market-relevant outcomes. The in-state tuition advantage won't offset starting a career $35,000+ behind your peers. If staying in South Carolina is important, the state's other public universities show dramatically better results for the same degree.