Analysis
South Carolina's insurance program starts graduates at $63,417—beating the national median by nearly $8,000 and landing in the 74th percentile nationally. That $25,995 in typical debt translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41, meaning graduates earn more than twice what they owe in their first year alone. This is unusually favorable: the program ranks in just the 5th percentile for debt nationally, indicating one of the lowest debt loads among insurance programs nationwide.
The earnings trajectory looks solid, with a 16% increase to $73,714 by year four. While this is the only insurance program in South Carolina (making the state percentile comparison less meaningful), the strong national standing and robust graduate sample size suggest consistent outcomes. The combination of well-above-average starting pay and remarkably low debt makes this one of the cleaner value propositions in specialized business programs.
For families concerned about return on investment in a niche field, these numbers are straightforward: graduates typically owe less than $26,000 while entering a career path with immediate earning power and steady growth. The insurance industry's demand for specialized talent appears to translate directly into graduate outcomes here.
Where University of South Carolina-Columbia Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all insurance bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How University of South Carolina-Columbia graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Carolina-Columbia | $63,417 | $73,714 | +16% |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | $78,796 | $96,327 | +22% |
| St. John's University-New York | $70,752 | $85,642 | +21% |
| Temple University | $66,080 | $78,623 | +19% |
| Florida State University | $61,071 | $78,449 | +28% |
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Insurance bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 University of South Carolina-ColumbiaColumbia | $12,688 | $63,417 | $73,714 | $25,995 | 0.41 |
 University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison | $11,205 | $78,796 | $96,327 | $20,500 | 0.26 |
 St. John's University-New YorkQueens | $50,110 | $70,752 | $85,642 | $24,125 | 0.34 |
 Saint Joseph's University - PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia | $51,340 | $66,523 | $78,262 | $23,016 | 0.35 |
 Temple UniversityPhiladelphia | $22,082 | $66,080 | $78,623 | $26,000 | 0.39 |
 University of GeorgiaAthens | $11,180 | $64,131 | $76,315 | $22,394 | 0.35 |
| National Median | — | $55,819 | — | $22,728 | 0.41 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with insurance graduates
Compensation and Benefits Managers
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
Insurance Underwriters
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators
Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage
Insurance Sales Agents
Appraisers of Personal and Business Property
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 118 graduates with reported earnings and 112 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.