Public Health at University of South Carolina-Columbia

USC-Columbia's public health graduates start at $31,756—about $6,000 below the national median—but their earnings jump 38% to nearly $44,000 by year four, an unusually strong growth trajectory for this field. While the program ranks in just the 11th percentile nationally for initial earnings, that four-year figure approaches what top programs nationally achieve at the one-year mark. Within South Carolina, starting salaries sit right at the state median (40th percentile), and the debt load of $24,958 is actually more manageable than most in-state alternatives.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.79 means graduates owe less than one year's starting income—reasonable for a bachelor's degree, though that first year will feel tight on $31,756. What matters here is whether graduates stick with public health careers long enough to see that earnings growth materialize. The strong sample size confirms these aren't fluky numbers.

For families prioritizing in-state tuition at a flagship university, this works: you're getting moderate debt and career trajectory that catches up over time. Just understand your child will likely need financial support or a side income during that first year or two post-graduation, as entry-level public health roles rarely pay enough to comfortably cover debt payments and living expenses immediately.