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Public Health 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 $31,756/yr (-18% vs median)

AI Risk High (48% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (179,000 openings/yr)

ROI 11.2x earnings multiple (4.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #144 of 213 Public Health programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Public Health graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$572K	$568K	$517K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.3x	11.2x	10.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.1x	4.1x	3.7x
Probability of Field Employment	55%	52%	36%
DegreeOutlook Score	43	42	44

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 (4.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$98,128

-93% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$21,500

8.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$55,090

73% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $31,756 per year, Public Health graduates from University of South Carolina-Columbia earn below the $38,916 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Public Health programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Public Health's typical career paths, with 48% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $21,500 represents roughly 8 months of the $31,756 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #144 of 213 Public Health programs, University of South Carolina-Columbia falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $55,090 show a 73% jump from the $31,756 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of South Carolina-Columbia

University of South Carolina-Columbia accepts 61% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, one of the larger campuses at 28,113 students in Columbia, SC.

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

Top Career Paths

Physicists $166,290/yr

Medical and health services managers $117,960/yr

Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620/yr

View all 13 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Public Health 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 Public Health at University of South Carolina-Columbia?

A score of 42/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Public Health. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Will AI replace Public Health careers?

With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $516,641 in decade earnings vs $571,789 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Public Health from University of South Carolina-Columbia?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

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