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Research and Experimental Psychology at University of South Carolina-Columbia

Columbia, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
37 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
38
Optimistic
37
Base Case
38
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,350/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (203,900 openings/yr)
ROI 10.2x earnings multiple (3.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #64 of 84 Research and Experimental Psychology programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Research and Experimental Psychology graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $519K $517K $482K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.2x 10.2x 9.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.7x 3.7x 3.5x
Probability of Field Employment 52% 48% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 38 37 38

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
$21,500
8.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,055
64% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of South Carolina-Columbia's Research and Experimental Psychology graduates start at $29,350/yr, trailing the $35,198 national average by 17%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 10.2x 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 — 44% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $21,500 debt-to-$29,350 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #64 out of 84 programs, University of South Carolina-Columbia's financial outcomes for Research and Experimental Psychology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $29,350 to $48,055 over five years (64% 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, serving a student body of 28,113 in Columbia, SC.

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

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Psychologists, all other $117,580/yr
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620/yr
View all 11 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 84 schools offering Research and Experimental Psychology →

Research and Experimental Psychology at Other Schools

Tufts University ($56,504) Columbia University in the City of New York ($53,156) Johns Hopkins University ($49,035) Yale University ($47,874) Bates College ($47,376) Princeton University ($47,050) Amherst College ($45,786) University of Pennsylvania ($44,542)

Other Majors at University of South Carolina-Columbia

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($77,161) Chemical Engineering ($75,680) Computer Engineering ($73,982) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($73,872) Mechanical Engineering ($72,370) International Business ($70,992) Statistics ($69,543) Civil Engineering ($69,424)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of South Carolina-Columbia's Research and Experimental Psychology program score?
This program scores 37/100 — on the lower end for Research and Experimental Psychology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Research and Experimental Psychology to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Research and Experimental Psychology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 44% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Research and Experimental Psychology 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 →