Social Sciences at University of South Carolina Beaufort

USC Beaufort's Social Sciences program produces graduates who earn substantially more than peers at other South Carolina institutions—landing in the 80th percentile statewide—but still fall well below the national benchmark. Four years out, graduates earn $34,323 compared to the national median of $37,459, a gap of roughly $3,000 annually. The $37,500 in typical debt matches the state median but sits significantly above the national figure of $25,500, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.15 that's tighter than ideal.

The relative strength within South Carolina matters if your child plans to work in-state after graduation, where these earnings would be competitive. However, the 20th percentile ranking nationally suggests graduates may struggle in broader job markets or when competing for positions against candidates from programs elsewhere. The modest 5% earnings growth over four years indicates limited career momentum in the immediate post-graduation period.

For families who can keep borrowing closer to $30,000 or less—perhaps through community college transfer credits or working part-time—this program offers reasonable value for South Carolina-based careers. But at the full $37,500 debt load, you're looking at monthly payments around $390 on a standard plan, which will strain a $32,000 starting salary. If your child has admission options at larger South Carolina schools or can access similar programs elsewhere with lower debt, those alternatives deserve serious consideration.