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Accounting and Related Services at University of South Carolina-Columbia

Columbia, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
80 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
82
Optimistic
80
Base Case
77
Pessimistic
Earnings $59,283/yr (10% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (62% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (451,900 openings/yr)
ROI 15.1x earnings multiple (5.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #95 of 714 Accounting and Related Services programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Accounting and Related Services graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $811K $766K $655K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.0x 15.1x 12.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.8x 5.5x 4.7x
Probability of Field Employment 76% 65% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 82 80 77

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$50,752
Out-of-state: $139,736 (5.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$98,128
-93% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,283
5.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$84,344
42% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $59,283/yr, edging above the $53,724 national average for Accounting and Related Services — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Accounting and Related Services programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Accounting and Related Services's typical career paths, with 62% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 19% gap from the optimistic case.

At $25,283 in median debt against $59,283 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #95 of 714 nationally, this is a top-5% Accounting and Related Services program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $59,283 to $84,344 over five years — a 42% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of South Carolina-Columbia

With a 61% acceptance rate, University of South Carolina-Columbia is moderately selective, one of the larger campuses at 28,113 students in Columbia, SC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of South Carolina-Columbia →

Top Career Paths

Financial managers $161,700/yr
Financial risk specialists $106,000/yr
Financial and investment analysts $101,350/yr
View all 14 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 714 schools offering Accounting and Related Services →

Accounting and Related Services at Other Schools

Georgetown University ($89,564) Washington and Lee University ($81,625) Santa Clara University ($78,417) Villanova University ($77,966) Lehigh University ($77,026) University of Notre Dame ($76,878) Fordham University ($76,473) Bucknell University ($75,776)

Other Majors at University of South Carolina-Columbia

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($77,161) Chemical Engineering ($75,680) Computer Engineering ($73,982) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($73,872) Mechanical Engineering ($72,370) International Business ($70,992) Statistics ($69,543) Civil Engineering ($69,424)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Accounting and Related Services trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Accounting and Related Services at University of South Carolina-Columbia?
This program scores 80/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Accounting and Related Services nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Accounting and Related Services careers?
With 62% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $654,935 in decade earnings vs $810,936 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of South Carolina-Columbia's Accounting and Related Services program stand out?
Ranked #95 of 714 programs nationally, University of South Carolina-Columbia lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →