Business Administration at University of South Carolina-Columbia

Columbia, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Business Administration, Management and Operations
70 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
71
Optimistic
70
Base Case
64
Pessimistic
Earnings $47,993/yr (2% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (1,753,300 openings/yr)
ROI 12.0x earnings multiple (4.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #236 of 1,169 Business Administration programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $619K $608K $547K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.2x 12.0x 10.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.4x 4.4x 3.9x
Probability of Field Employment 47% 43% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 71 70 64

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 (4.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$98,128
-93% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,497
5.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$69,907
46% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of South Carolina-Columbia's Business Administration program produces graduates earning $47,993/yr — within striking distance of the $46,892 national average for this field.

With a 12.0x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 12% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Business Administration career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $22,497 in median debt clears quickly against $47,993 in annual earnings.

University of South Carolina-Columbia ranks #236 among 1,169 Business Administration programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 46% earnings increase from $47,993 to $69,907 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of South Carolina-Columbia

University of South Carolina-Columbia's 61% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, 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

Chief executives $206,420/yr
Computer and information systems managers $171,200/yr
Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
View all 42 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Business Administration 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

What does a 70/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Business Administration at University of South Carolina-Columbia?
At 70/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Business Administration at University of South Carolina-Columbia?
The 47% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is University of South Carolina-Columbia one of the best schools for Business Administration?
Among 1,169 Business Administration programs, University of South Carolina-Columbia's #236 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →