Analysis
Statistics graduates from USC-Columbia earn $69,543 their first year out—about $10,000 above the national median for statistics majors and well ahead of what most comparable programs produce. While the debt figure of $20,150 is estimated from similar bachelor's programs at USC rather than reported specifically for statistics majors, that estimate would translate to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29, suggesting graduates could realistically pay off their loans within a year or two if they prioritized it.
The strong earnings performance here isn't surprising given statistics' value in today's data-driven economy, but USC-Columbia's results stand out even within this already-attractive field. At 75th percentile nationally, these graduates are outearning three-quarters of statistics programs across the country. The limited data for South Carolina programs (only two schools report statistics outcomes) makes state-level comparison difficult, but the earnings figure matches the state median.
Given that statistics skills command premium salaries in finance, tech, healthcare analytics, and research, this program appears positioned to deliver solid returns even if the actual debt runs somewhat higher than the estimate. The combination of strong first-year earnings and manageable estimated debt suggests USC-Columbia's statistics degree should provide graduates the financial foundation to pursue opportunities without being constrained by loan payments.
Where University of South Carolina-Columbia Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all statistics bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How University of South Carolina-Columbia graduates compare to all programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Statistics 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 | $69,543 | — | $20,150* | — |
 Harvard UniversityCambridge | $59,076 | $141,116 | — | —* | — |
 University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia | $66,104 | $129,732 | — | —* | — |
 Duke UniversityDurham | $65,805 | $97,197 | $113,854 | $13,500* | 0.14 |
 Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh | $63,829 | $93,111 | $142,883 | $21,375* | 0.23 |
 University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley | $14,850 | $83,227 | $102,151 | $16,165* | 0.19 |
| National Median | — | $59,718 | — | $20,150* | 0.34 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with statistics graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Actuaries
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Mathematicians
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Survey Researchers
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 16 graduates with reported earnings and 15 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.