Location: Columbia, SC•In-State Tuition: $12,688•Out-of-State Tuition: $34,934•Admission Rate: 61%•Avg SAT: 1297
Median Earnings (1yr)
$70,992
95th percentile
80th percentile in South Carolina
Median Debt
$25,174
7% above national median
D/E Ratio: 0.35 ManageableSample: 101 graduates

Analysis

With graduates earning nearly $71,000 straight out of college—42% above the national median for international business—the University of South Carolina-Columbia's program delivers results that put it in the top 5% nationally. Even within South Carolina, where USC faces six other competitors, graduates here earn about $17,000 more than the state median, placing the program in the 80th percentile statewide.

The debt picture reinforces the value: at $25,174, it's barely above average, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35 that means graduates owe just over four months' salary. When the closest competitor (College of Charleston) produces median earnings of $37,624—nearly half what USC graduates earn—the choice becomes stark. Strong earnings growth of 26% by year four suggests graduates are building careers with real momentum, not just landing entry-level positions.

This is a field leader program at a moderately selective public university (61% admission rate) that's delivering outcomes typically associated with elite private schools. For families weighing the investment in an international business degree, USC-Columbia offers a rare combination: accessible admission standards, manageable debt, and earnings that eclipse most competing programs by a wide margin.

Where University of South Carolina-Columbia Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all international business bachelors's programs nationally

University of South Carolina-ColumbiaOther international business 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 $71k — 95th percentile among international business bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
University of South Carolina-Columbia$70,992$89,299+26%
George Washington University$70,856$101,930+44%
Georgetown University$81,800$101,821+24%
University of Wisconsin-Madison$66,591$94,010+41%
College of Charleston$37,624$67,678+80%

Compare to Similar Programs in South Carolina

International Business bachelors's programs at peer institutions in South Carolina (7 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of South Carolina-ColumbiaColumbia$12,688$70,992$89,299$25,1740.35
College of CharlestonCharleston$12,978$37,624$67,678$22,5000.60
National Median—$49,890—$23,4720.47

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with international business graduates

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

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:

Business Operations Specialists, All Other

All business operations specialists not listed separately.

Business Continuity Planners

Develop, maintain, or implement business continuity and disaster recovery strategies and solutions, including risk assessments, business impact analyses, strategy selection, and documentation of business continuity and disaster recovery procedures. Plan, conduct, and debrief regular mock-disaster exercises to test the adequacy of existing plans and strategies, updating procedures and plans regularly. Act as a coordinator for continuity efforts after a disruption event.

Sustainability Specialists

Address organizational sustainability issues, such as waste stream management, green building practices, and green procurement plans.

Online Merchants

Conduct retail activities of businesses operating exclusively online. May perform duties such as preparing business strategies, buying merchandise, managing inventory, implementing marketing activities, fulfilling and shipping online orders, and balancing financial records.

Security Management Specialists

Conduct security assessments for organizations, and design security systems and processes. May specialize in areas such as physical security or the safety of employees and facilities.

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 101 graduates with reported earnings and 104 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.