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Computer Engineering at University of South Carolina-Columbia

Columbia, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $73,982/yr (-6% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (71% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (167,700 openings/yr)

ROI 15.7x earnings multiple (5.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #87 of 174 Computer Engineering programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$835K	$797K	$642K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	16.5x	15.7x	12.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.0x	5.7x	4.6x
Probability of Field Employment	84%	74%	43%
DegreeOutlook Score	82	80	74

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$50,752

Out-of-state: $139,736 (5.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$98,128

-93% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$25,675

4.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$87,710

19% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of South Carolina-Columbia's Computer Engineering program produces graduates earning $73,982/yr — within striking distance of the $78,694 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Computer Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Computer Engineering's typical career paths, with 71% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 23% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $25,675 in median debt clears quickly against $73,982 in annual earnings.

At #87 of 174 Computer Engineering programs, University of South Carolina-Columbia scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $87,710 are relatively flat compared to the $73,982 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About University of South Carolina-Columbia

University of South Carolina-Columbia's 61% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with 28,113 students enrolled in Columbia, SC.

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

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr

Computer hardware engineers $155,020/yr

Database architects $135,980/yr

View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Computer Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of South Carolina-Columbia

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Computer Engineering at University of South Carolina-Columbia?

This program scores 80/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Computer Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.

Will AI replace Computer Engineering careers?

With 71% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $641,656 in decade earnings vs $835,465 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →