Anthropology at University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
28
Optimistic
28
Base Case
25
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)
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)
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,000
9.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,350
78% growth from Year 1
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
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 →