Social Work at University of South Carolina-Columbia

The small sample size here is a real red flag—with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, these numbers could swing dramatically year to year. That said, starting at $28,032 puts this program in the bottom 5% nationally for social work earnings, though it sits closer to the middle (40th percentile) among South Carolina's seven social work programs. The $24,000 debt load is manageable relative to that first-year salary, but you're still looking at modest starting pay in a helping profession known for emotional demands.

The 43% earnings growth to $40,123 by year four is encouraging and suggests graduates find their footing after initial entry-level positions. However, even that four-year mark trails both the state median ($32,018 at year one) and programs like Winthrop ($35,070) and Limestone ($33,741). For context, the national median for social work bachelor's graduates is $37,296—nearly $10,000 more than this program's starting point.

If your child is committed to social work and plans to stay in South Carolina, this flagship program won't bury them in debt. But given the low starting earnings and small sample uncertainty, you'd be wise to compare outcomes at Winthrop or ask USC's social work department directly about recent placement rates and typical employers. The debt is reasonable; the question is whether the earnings trajectory justifies choosing USC over stronger-performing in-state alternatives.