Orangeburg, SC · Private University
Is South Carolina State University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$38,262
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$11,060
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$21,750
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$87,000
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.76x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
26.7 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
29.4%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$31,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$18,268
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
South Carolina State University graduates earn $6,738 less than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at South Carolina State University ranked by graduate earnings
41 graduates
36 graduates
34 graduates
38 graduates
37 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at South Carolina State University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At South Carolina State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer and Information Sciences, General: $75,522) and the lowest (Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General: $31,164) is $44,358/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralBest ROI | $75,522 | 3.5x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $41,356 | 1.9x |
| Biology, General | $34,839 | 1.6x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $33,661 | 1.6x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $31,372 | 1.4x |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, GeneralLowest | $31,164 | 1.4x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
South Carolina State University offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $38,262 10 years after starting, $6,738 below the national median of $45,000. At the current earnings trajectory, it takes approximately 26.7 years to recover the total cost of attendance.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.