Location: Columbia, SC•In-State Tuition: $12,688•Out-of-State Tuition: $34,934•Admission Rate: 61%•Avg SAT: 1297
Median Earnings (1yr)
$62,231
81st percentile
60th percentile in South Carolina
Median Debt
$25,000
7% above national median
D/E Ratio: 0.40 ManageableSample: 466 graduates

Analysis

University of South Carolina-Columbia's finance program stands out nationally, placing in the 81st percentile for graduate earnings while maintaining reasonable debt levels. With first-year graduates earning $62,231—well above the national median of $53,590—this program delivers strong immediate returns that continue growing to $79,318 by year four, representing solid 28% earnings growth.

Within South Carolina, the program performs respectably at the 60th percentile, though it trails Clemson slightly ($58,876 vs $62,231). The $25,000 median debt matches both the state median and sits in the favorable 35th percentile nationally, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.40. This means graduates typically dedicate less than half their first-year salary to debt obligations—a manageable burden that becomes even more comfortable as earnings grow.

For parents evaluating this investment, USC-Columbia's finance program offers excellent value: strong national performance, reasonable costs, and healthy earnings trajectory. The combination of above-average starting salaries and continued growth through year four suggests graduates are securing quality positions with advancement potential. With robust sample size confirming these outcomes, this represents a solid choice for students interested in finance careers.

Where University of South Carolina-Columbia Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all finance and financial management services bachelors's programs nationally

University of South Carolina-ColumbiaOther finance and financial management services programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How University of South Carolina-Columbia graduates compare to all programs nationally

University of South Carolina-Columbia earns $62k — 81th percentile among finance and financial management services bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
University of South Carolina-Columbia$62,231$79,318+27%
College of Charleston$54,634$82,260+51%
Clemson University$58,876$71,621+22%
Wofford College$57,335$66,153+15%
Coastal Carolina University$46,911$53,842+15%

Compare to Similar Programs in South Carolina

Finance and Financial Management Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in South Carolina (10 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of South Carolina-ColumbiaColumbia$12,688$62,231$79,318$25,0000.40
Clemson UniversityClemson$15,554$58,876$71,621$20,0000.34
Wofford CollegeSpartanburg$54,100$57,335$66,153$27,0000.47
College of CharlestonCharleston$12,978$54,634$82,260$22,5000.41
Coastal Carolina UniversityConway$11,640$46,911$53,842$26,0000.55
National Median—$53,590—$23,3320.44

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with finance and financial management services graduates

Financial Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Treasurers and Controllers

Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Investment Fund Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Sustainability Officers

Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

General and Operations Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Personal Financial Advisors

Advise clients on financial plans using knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate. Duties include assessing clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives. May also buy and sell financial assets for clients.

$102,140/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial and Investment Analysts

Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Risk Specialists

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Budget Analysts

Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.

$87,930/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Insurance Underwriters

Review individual applications for insurance to evaluate degree of risk involved and determine acceptance of applications.

$79,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of South Carolina-Columbia, approximately 19% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 466 graduates with reported earnings and 448 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.