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
27
Optimistic
26
Base Case
23
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)
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)
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,250
11.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,297
80% growth from Year 1
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
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 →