University of South Carolina-Columbia — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of South Carolina-Columbia charges a net price of $22,811/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $91,244. Graduates earn a median $62,177 ten years after entry, $13,817/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 6.6 years — a 20-year net return of $185,096, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of South Carolina-Columbia's 6.6-year payback ranks #585 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 54% of them, and #6 of 60 in South Carolina.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $22,811/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $91,244 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $62,177 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $13,817/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $21,500 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 6.6 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $185,096 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of South Carolina-Columbia's own numbers. Net price $22,811 × 4 years = $91,244 total. Median earnings $62,177 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $13,817 a year of premium. $91,244 ÷ $13,817 = 6.6 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $185,096. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do University of South Carolina-Columbia students graduate with?
A median $21,500 in federal loans among completers, or 35% of the $62,177 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of South Carolina-Columbia students graduate?
79% finish their degree. Spread the $91,244 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $115,499 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of South Carolina-Columbia expensive compared with other South Carolina colleges?
Its $22,811 net price runs $6,817 above the $15,995 median across the 60 South Carolina colleges we profile, or $27,266 more across the full degree.