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English at University of South Carolina-Columbia

Columbia, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $25,729/yr (-15% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)

Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)

ROI 10.1x earnings multiple (3.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #339 of 493 English Language and Literature, General programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$517K	$514K	$475K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	10.2x	10.1x	9.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.7x	3.7x	3.4x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	41%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	27	26	23

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 (3.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$98,128

-93% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$24,250

11.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$46,297

80% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of South Carolina-Columbia's English graduates start at $25,729/yr, trailing the $30,427 national average by 15%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 10.1x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 61% task exposure — and the 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $24,250 debt-to-$25,729 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #339 out of 493 programs, University of South Carolina-Columbia's financial outcomes for English trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $25,729 to $46,297 over five years (80% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of South Carolina-Columbia

University of South Carolina-Columbia's 61% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with 28,113 students enrolled in Columbia, SC.

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

Top Career Paths

English language and literature teachers, postsecondary $78,270/yr

Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education $64,580/yr

Proofreaders and copy markers $49,210/yr

View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

English at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of South Carolina-Columbia

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

This program scores 26/100 — on the lower end for English. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is English to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' English careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 61% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why are English 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 →