Aiken, SC · Private University
Is University of South Carolina Aiken Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$45,603
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$10,760
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$21,218
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$84,872
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.15x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
8 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
40.1%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$24,275
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$11,611
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of South Carolina Aiken graduates earn $603 more 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 University of South Carolina Aiken ranked by graduate earnings
127 graduates
16 graduates
19 graduates
174 graduates
55 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of South Carolina Aiken
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of South Carolina Aiken, the gap between the highest-earning major (Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing: $67,556) and the lowest (English Language and Literature, General: $27,546) is $40,010/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBest ROI | $67,556 | 3.2x |
| Applied Mathematics | $63,256 | 3.0x |
| Industrial Engineering(1yr data) | $60,091 | 2.8x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $50,626 | 2.4x |
| Biology, General | $49,333 | 2.3x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $42,282 | 2.0x |
| Psychology, General | $38,907 | 1.8x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $38,731 | 1.8x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $38,432 | 1.8x |
| Sociology | $35,125 | 1.7x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $29,881 | 1.4x |
| English Language and Literature, GeneralLowest(1yr data) | $27,546 | 1.3x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
University of South Carolina Aiken stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $45,603 10 years after starting, $603 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 8 years, a reasonable timeline.
Ready to apply to University of South Carolina Aiken?
See your odds of admission based on your GPA and test scores.
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.