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Anthropology at University of South Carolina-Columbia

Columbia, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $23,785/yr (-16% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (121,600 openings/yr)

ROI 9.7x earnings multiple (3.5x out-of-state)

Ranked #142 of 178 Anthropology programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Anthropology graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$494K	$494K	$462K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	9.7x	9.7x	9.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.5x	3.5x	3.3x
Probability of Field Employment	44%	41%	30%
DegreeOutlook Score	28	28	25

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 (3.5x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$98,128

-93% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,000

9.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$42,350

78% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $23,785 place University of South Carolina-Columbia below the $28,155 national median for Anthropology — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

At 9.7x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $18,000 debt-to-$23,785 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #142 out of 178 programs, University of South Carolina-Columbia's financial outcomes for Anthropology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $23,785 to $42,350 over five years (78% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of South Carolina-Columbia

A 61% admission rate makes University of South Carolina-Columbia accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving a student body of 28,113 in Columbia, SC.

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

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr

Medical scientists, except epidemiologists $100,590/yr

Anthropology and archeology teachers, postsecondary $95,770/yr

View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Anthropology at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of South Carolina-Columbia

Explore the Trade Alternative

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

How does University of South Carolina-Columbia's Anthropology program score?

This program scores 28/100 — on the lower end for Anthropology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Anthropology to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Anthropology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why are Anthropology earnings lower at University of South Carolina-Columbia?

Lower starting pay at University of South Carolina-Columbia may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →