Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at University of South Carolina-Columbia

At $77,000 starting salary against $27,000 in debt, University of South Carolina's electrical engineering program delivers solid fundamentals without standout performance. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35 means graduates typically pay off loans within a reasonable timeframe, and the below-average debt load (25th percentile nationally) keeps financial stress manageable for most students.

The earnings picture tells a nuanced story. While this program lands squarely at the national median, it performs in the 60th percentile within South Carolina—a meaningful advantage for students planning to work in-state. Four years out, median earnings reach $84,000, showing healthy but not exceptional growth. You're essentially matching Clemson's output at a more accessible admission standard (61% vs. Clemson's selectivity), though you're not dramatically exceeding it either.

For families weighing this against other engineering options, the value proposition centers on accessibility and adequate outcomes rather than premium returns. Your child gets a legitimate engineering degree from the state's flagship university, enters the workforce earning what most electrical engineering graduates earn nationwide, and does so with below-average debt. It's not going to catapult them to the top of the earnings distribution, but it provides a stable foundation for an engineering career without the financial strain that burdens many college graduates.