Economics at University of South Carolina-Columbia

UofSC's economics program sits in an interesting middle ground: it outperforms most in-state alternatives while lagging slightly behind the national average. Graduates start at $48,149—matching the state median but about $3,500 below the national figure. More importantly, they land in the 60th percentile among South Carolina economics programs, meaning they're earning more than three out of five comparable in-state graduates. Only Furman places significantly higher, though at likely double the tuition cost for most families.

The financial fundamentals work reasonably well here. With $24,062 in typical debt and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.50, graduates owe half their first year's salary—manageable territory that allows for realistic repayment within standard timeframes. The 20% earnings bump by year four ($57,679) shows solid career progression and suggests employers value these graduates increasingly over time.

For South Carolina residents weighing in-state options, this represents a solid choice that balances cost and outcome. You're not getting Ivy League placement, but you're getting reliable entry into the workforce at a debt level that won't dominate your child's financial life. The program does what a state flagship should: delivers competitive results at accessible pricing, particularly when compared to private alternatives that may cost significantly more for marginally better outcomes.