University of South Carolina-Columbia

What are the graduation rates for students at University of South Carolina-Columbia?

University of South Carolina-Columbia demonstrates strong graduation outcomes, with an overall graduation rate of 78%, placing it among the top 15% of institutions nationally. Male students graduate at a slightly lower rate of 73%, ranking in the top 20%, while female students graduate at a higher rate of 82%, also in the top 15%. These figures indicate a solid commitment to student achievement across genders.

The institution also performs well in terms of completion speed. Its four-year graduation rate stands at 69%, a high mark that ranks in the top 15% of colleges and universities. Over six years, the graduation rate increases to 78%, maintaining its position among leading schools for student completion.

Retention is another strong indicator for University of South Carolina-Columbia. With a retention rate of 91%, the university retains a large majority of its students from one academic year to the next, again falling within the top 15% compared to peers. This suggests that a substantial portion of students remain engaged and committed to finishing their degrees once enrolled.

What is the earning potential for graduates at University of South Carolina-Columbia?

Graduates from University of South Carolina-Columbia experience a wide range of earning potentials depending on their field of study, with notable variation across disciplines. Engineering degrees tend to offer some of the highest starting salaries, with Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduates earning around $71,229, Chemical Engineering at $65,370, Computer Engineering at $65,383, and Mechanical Engineering close behind at $64,632. Civil Engineering graduates also report strong earnings of approximately $60,050.

Students pursuing degrees in technology-related fields also see competitive earnings; for instance, Computer and Information Sciences graduates earn about $57,440, and Biomedical/Medical Engineering alumni report earnings of $54,181. Business-related degrees show solid financial outcomes as well, with International Business graduates reaching $66,365, Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods at $61,685, Finance and Financial Management Services at $53,758, and Accounting and Related Services at $49,131. Insurance majors earn roughly $53,142, while Marketing graduates receive around $47,936.

In the health and allied sciences, Registered Nursing graduates earn approximately $61,735, and those in Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions earn about $40,689. Economics graduates see average earnings of $39,069, and Health and Physical Education/Fitness majors report around $38,046.

Graduates with degrees in communication-related fields typically earn less, with Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication reporting $36,111, Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at $35,916, and Journalism at $30,181. Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduates earn in the low $30,000 range, approximately $30,327.

Lower earning potentials are observed in the social sciences and arts, where Anthropology graduates earn about $17,736, Social Work graduates $23,487, and English Language and Literature graduates approximately $20,809. Similarly, Film/Video and Photographic Arts and Fine and Studio Arts report earnings in the mid-$23,000 range.