Sociology at University of South Carolina-Columbia

USC's sociology program lands squarely in the middle for South Carolina—60th percentile statewide—but trails the national median by about $3,600 annually. That gap matters when you're starting at $30,517 and carrying $27,000 in debt, making this among the most financially challenging liberal arts paths at the flagship campus. For context, Clemson's sociology graduates earn nearly $6,000 more in their first year with the same degree.

The silver lining is strong earnings progression: graduates see 38% income growth by year four, reaching $42,000. The debt load, while typical for this major nationally, still represents nearly 90% of first-year earnings. That's manageable if your child has a clear career plan, but sociology degrees often require graduate school or strategic positioning to reach competitive salaries. The moderate sample size suggests stable data, and USC's 61% admission rate means access isn't a major barrier.

If your child is committed to sociology and wants to stay in South Carolina, USC delivers an adequate outcome—better than most in-state options but nothing exceptional. The real question is whether they're prepared for the income reality of this field. Unless they have specific career goals that leverage the degree (human resources, nonprofit management, research), they might consider programs with stronger earning potential or prepare for additional education to maximize their return on this $27,000 investment.