GeraMarket / US College ROI / University of South Carolina-Columbia
University of South Carolina-Columbia: College ROI
Columbia, SC · 29,820 undergraduates. Median 10-yr earnings: $62,177 · Median debt: $21,500 · Net price: $22,811/yr · GEROI: 2.3/100.
What is the return on investment for University of South Carolina-Columbia?
As of June 2026, University of South Carolina-Columbia (Columbia, SC) alumni have a median income of $62,177 ten years after entry — 13.2% above the cohort median of $54,940 — with median debt of $21,500 and a net annual cost of $22,811, per the US Dept of Education College Scorecard (public domain). Gera Education ROI Index: 2.3/100 (Below-average ROI).
GEROI tier: Below-average ROI (2.3/100)
Based on (median 10-yr earnings − median debt) ÷ net price, normalised within the top-300 US institutions by enrollment. See full methodology.
University of South Carolina-Columbia — key figures (June 2026)
| Measure | Value | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Median 10-yr earnings | $62,177 | MD_EARN_WNE_P10 (June 2026) — 13.2% above cohort median |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,500 | GRAD_DEBT_MDN (June 2026) — 18.8% above cohort median ($18,095) |
| Annual net price | $22,811/yr | NPT4_PUB/NPT4_PRIV (June 2026) — 69.5% above cohort median ($13,461/yr) |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 29,820 | UGDS — total undergrad enrolled (June 2026) |
| GEROI score | 2.3 / 100 | Gera Education ROI Index (Below-average ROI) — normalised within top-300 cohort |
Compare University of South Carolina-Columbia with other SC institutions
Filter, sort, and rank all institutions in our database by state, GEROI score, earnings, debt, or net price — personalised to your criteria.
Higher = better ROI
| # | Institution | GEROI | 10-yr earnings | Median debt | Net price | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Clemson UniversityClemson, SC | 2.9/100 | $71,513 | $21,500 | $22,253/yr | View |
| #2 | University of South Carolina-ColumbiaColumbia, SC | 2.3/100 | $62,177 | $21,500 | $22,811/yr | View |
Showing top 25 of 2 matching institutions. Source: US Dept of Education — College Scorecard (June 2026).
GEROI (Gera Education ROI Index) = normalised score 0–100 based on (median 10-yr earnings − median debt) ÷ annual net price. Data: College Scorecard June 2026, public domain, no key required.
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Frequently asked questions
- What are the average earnings for University of South Carolina-Columbia graduates?
- In June 2026, the median earnings for working University of South Carolina-Columbia alumni 10 years after first enrollment are $62,177, per the US Department of Education College Scorecard (MD_EARN_WNE_P10). This is 13.2% above the top-300-institution cohort median of $54,940.
- What is the typical student debt for University of South Carolina-Columbia graduates?
- The median cumulative debt at graduation for University of South Carolina-Columbia students is $21,500, per the College Scorecard (GRAD_DEBT_MDN, June 2026). This is 18.8% above cohort median ($18,095).
- What does University of South Carolina-Columbia actually cost after financial aid?
- The average annual net price at University of South Carolina-Columbia — the cost actually paid after grants and scholarships are applied — is $22,811/yr, per the College Scorecard (NPT4_PUB/NPT4_PRIV, June 2026). This is 69.5% above cohort median ($13,461/yr).
- What is University of South Carolina-Columbia's GEROI score?
- University of South Carolina-Columbia's Gera Education ROI Index (GEROI) is 2.3/100 (Below-average ROI). GEROI = (median 10-yr earnings − median debt) ÷ net price, normalised 0–100 across the top-300 US colleges by enrollment. A score of 2.3 means University of South Carolina-Columbia is in the lower half of the cohort on financial return per dollar of net tuition. See the methodology page for the full formula.
- Is University of South Carolina-Columbia worth it financially?
- Based on College Scorecard data (June 2026): University of South Carolina-Columbia has a median 10-yr earnings of $62,177, median debt of $21,500, and net price of $22,811/yr — giving a GEROI of 2.3/100. Whether it's "worth it" depends on your field of study, career goals, and financial situation — GEROI provides the factual financial context, not a personalised recommendation.
Other SC institutions (by GEROI)
Contains public sector information published by US Department of Education and licensed under the US Federal Government Open Data (public domain). Source: US Department of Education — College Scorecard (Most Recent Institution Data) (June 2026, published 10 June 2026).