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Social Sciences at University of South Carolina Beaufort

Bluffton, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Social Sciences, General

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $32,682/yr (-15% vs median)

AI Risk High (45% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (318,400 openings/yr)

ROI 10.3x earnings multiple (5.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #65 of 76 Social Sciences, General programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Social Sciences graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$438K	$443K	$428K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	10.2x	10.3x	10.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.0x	5.1x	4.9x
Probability of Field Employment	61%	54%	43%
DegreeOutlook Score	40	39	45

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$42,920

Out-of-state: $87,104 (5.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$61,236

-43% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$26,000

9.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$38,994

19% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $32,682 place University of South Carolina Beaufort below the $38,652 national median for Social Sciences — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 10.3x 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 — 45% task exposure — and the 2% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $26,000 debt-to-$32,682 income ratio translates to about 10 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #65 out of 76 programs, University of South Carolina Beaufort's financial outcomes for Social Sciences trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $32,682 to $38,994 over five years (19% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About University of South Carolina Beaufort

A 69% admission rate makes University of South Carolina Beaufort accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with a smaller student body of 1,958 in Bluffton, SC. Pell Grant recipients make up 40% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

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

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr

Statisticians $103,300/yr

Sociologists $101,690/yr

View all 11 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Social Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of South Carolina Beaufort

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of South Carolina Beaufort's Social Sciences program score?

This program scores 39/100 — on the lower end for Social Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Social Sciences to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Social Sciences careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 45% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why are Social Sciences earnings lower at University of South Carolina Beaufort?

Lower starting pay at University of South Carolina Beaufort 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 →