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Computer Science at South Carolina State University

Orangeburg, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Computer and Information Sciences, General
55 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
56
Optimistic
55
Base Case
61
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,082/yr (-52% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (69% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (338,800 openings/yr)
ROI 20.4x earnings multiple (10.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #417 of 443 Computer and Information Sciences, General programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $936K $900K $698K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 21.2x 20.4x 15.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 10.8x 10.3x 8.0x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 74% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 56 55 61

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$44,240
Out-of-state: $87,000 (10.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,072
-65% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$31,000
12.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$75,522
151% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $30,082 per year, Computer Science graduates from South Carolina State University earn below the $62,617 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 20.4x 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 — 69% task exposure — and the 25% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $31,000 debt load exceeds a year of the $30,082 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #417 out of 443 programs, South Carolina State University's financial outcomes for Computer Science trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $30,082 to $75,522 over five years (151% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About South Carolina State University

With 82% of applicants admitted, South Carolina State University prioritizes broad access, a compact campus enrolling 2,757 students in Orangeburg, SC. Pell Grant recipients make up 68% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at South Carolina State University →

Top Career Paths

Computer and information systems managers $171,200/yr
Computer and information research scientists $140,910/yr
Database architects $135,980/yr
View all 14 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 443 schools offering Computer Science →

Computer Science at Other Schools

University of Pennsylvania ($146,204) University of California-Los Angeles ($136,099) Yale University ($133,293) Rice University ($131,154) Northeastern University ($115,587) Northeastern University Professional Programs ($115,587) University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ($113,634) University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ($113,503)

Other Majors at South Carolina State University

Criminal Justice and Corrections ($32,576) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($30,676) Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General ($29,618) Biology, General ($25,938) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($25,518)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Computer Science trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does South Carolina State University's Computer Science program score?
A score of 55/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but South Carolina State University trails the majority of Computer Science programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Do South Carolina State University Computer Science graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.0x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
How vulnerable is Computer Science to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Computer Science careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 69% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Computer Science earnings lower at South Carolina State University?
Lower starting pay at South Carolina State University 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 →