Biology at University of South Carolina Beaufort

USC Beaufort's biology program lands squarely in the middle of the pack nationally, but outperforms most South Carolina biology programs—ranking in the 60th percentile statewide despite being a regional campus. With first-year earnings of $32,212 and debt of $26,000, graduates face manageable financial pressure initially. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.81 means most borrowers could realistically pay off loans within a few years of graduation, which is better than many biology programs achieve.

The challenge here is stagnant growth. Earnings barely budge over four years, increasing just 4% to $33,433—suggesting graduates may be stuck in entry-level lab tech or quality control roles rather than advancing into higher-paying research or clinical positions. This plateau is common in bachelor's-level biology but worth considering if your child plans to work immediately rather than pursue graduate education. Many biology majors eventually need additional credentials (master's degrees, certification programs) to unlock better career trajectories.

For a family weighing in-state tuition costs at a regional campus, this program delivers reasonable value if your child is committed to biology and has a clear next step planned—whether that's graduate school, healthcare certification, or a specific employer. Just don't expect the degree alone to generate significant income growth without additional training.