Economicsat University of South Carolina-Columbia
Graduates earn $48,149/yr in their first year — about 11.0% below the national Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $643K; scenarios range from $569K to $660K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina-Columbia's Economics program produces graduates earning $48,149/yr — within striking distance of the $53,966 national average for this field.
With a 12.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 14% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Economics career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $21,434 in median debt clears quickly against $48,149 in annual earnings.
A #154 ranking among 351 Economics programs places University of South Carolina-Columbia in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.
A 43% earnings increase from $48,149 to $68,890 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.
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 Economics
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 Economics offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Economics trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Economics at University of South Carolina
What does a 68/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Economics at University of South Carolina-Columbia?
At 68/100, University of South Carolina-Columbia's Economics program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Economics at University of South Carolina-Columbia?
The 56% 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.