Program Analysis
At $28,035/yr, Biology graduates from University of South Carolina-Columbia land near the $32,219 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Biology programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Biology's typical career paths, with 40% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 11% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $21,500 represents roughly 9 months of the $28,035 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
At #383 of 822 Biology programs, University of South Carolina-Columbia scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Five-year earnings of $60,846 show a 117% jump from the $28,035 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.