Accountingat University of South Carolina-Columbia
Graduates earn $59,283/yr in their first year — about 10.0% above the national Accounting average. Base-case 10-year earnings $766K; scenarios range from $655K to $811K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of South Carolina
Graduates earn $59,283/yr, edging above the $53,724 national average for Accounting — 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 programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Accounting'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 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.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of South Carolina's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Accounting
How University of South Carolina stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of South Carolina
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of South Carolina, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Accounting offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Accounting trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Accounting at University of South Carolina
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Accounting at University of South Carolina-Columbia?
This program scores 80/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Accounting nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Accounting 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 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.