Mathematics at University of South Carolina-Columbia

Columbia, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
65 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
66
Optimistic
65
Base Case
60
Pessimistic
Earnings $49,949/yr (-2% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (65% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (104,900 openings/yr)
ROI 13.9x earnings multiple (5.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #60 of 253 Mathematics programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $731K $703K $597K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.4x 13.9x 11.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.2x 5.0x 4.3x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 65% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 66 65 60

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 (5.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$98,128
-93% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,100
5.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$74,650
49% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $49,949/yr, Mathematics graduates from University of South Carolina-Columbia land near the $50,797 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 13.9x 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 — 65% task exposure — and the 18% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $22,100 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #60 out of 253 programs, University of South Carolina-Columbia's Mathematics program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $49,949 to $74,650 shows 49% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of South Carolina-Columbia

University of South Carolina-Columbia accepts 61% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with 28,113 students enrolled in Columbia, SC.

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

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Mathematicians $121,680/yr
Data scientists $112,590/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Mathematics 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 Mathematics program score?
This program scores 65/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Mathematics graduates.
How vulnerable is Mathematics to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Mathematics careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 65% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does University of South Carolina-Columbia rank so high for Mathematics?
The #60 ranking out of 253 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →