Journalism bachelor's degree outcomes at University of South Carolina-Columbia

Columbia, SC · Public · Federal field 0904

Data scope

Federal records group outcomes by college, four-digit field and credential level. A record may cover several catalog programs or concentrations.

The short version

Reported earnings are close to the same-degree benchmark.

$2,984 below the national median for the same field and credential.

Debt pressure: 48.8% of annual earnings
Positive-payoff price ceiling: Not reached
10-year scenario: −69% · Negative payoff
Price evidence: College-wide context only

OUTCOME SIGNALS

Graduate outcomes from several angles.

Follow earnings over time and inspect the cohort behind each federal measure.

+33%Earnings growth, year 1 → 5$38,762 → $51,441

—Earn above high-school thresholdGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

51Working in the college’s stateGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

97Year-5 earnings observationsCohort behind the year-5 median

96Borrowers representedCohort behind the debt median

$48,823Awarding-school debtDebt attributed to the college granting the credential

—Recent awardsIPEDS 2023–24 first-major completions in this field and credential

01 · PRICE CONTEXT$22,811

Institution-wide annual average net price—not this program’s price.

02 · BORROWING$26,000

Median federal debt across schools attended at this academic level.

03 · EARNINGS$53,294

Observed median earnings four full years after completion.

04 · REPAYMENT$276/mo

Estimated standard 10-year federal payment.

WHAT WILL IT COST?

Published college costs provide the starting point.

Your exact offering, aid, residency and time to finish determine the price you actually pay.

Enter my price →

AVERAGE NET PRICE$22,811Institution-wide annual figure

COST OF ATTENDANCE$31,638Institution-wide annual budget

ADMISSION RATE60.2%Institution context

COMPLETION RATE78.8%Institution-wide completion rate

WHAT DO GRADUATES EARN?

Reported earnings after completion.

Each point may represent a different federal cohort. A missing bar means the figure was unavailable or suppressed.

$38,762Year 1

$53,294Year 4

$51,441Year 5

CAN THE EARNINGS SUPPORT THE DEBT?

6.2% of gross monthly earnings

Estimated monthly payment divided by observed gross monthly earnings. This excludes taxes, other debts and income-driven repayment.

Gross monthly earnings$4,441

Estimated loan payment$276

96borrowers represented where reported

HOW DOES IT COMPARE?

$53,294 vs. $56,278

$2,984 below the national median for the same field and credential.

Same-field national median

WHAT WORK CAN IT LEAD TO?

Related occupations, wages and outlook.

Official CIP–SOC links show careers the curriculum may prepare students for—not observed jobs held by this school’s graduates. BLS wages describe everyone working in an occupation.

BLS May 2025 wage estimates and 2025–35 employment projections.

News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists$47,940 median wageSC estimate · 480 jobs · 27-3023-5.9% projected U.S. growth · 3.4k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeCommunications Teachers, Postsecondary$79,810 median wageSC estimate · 320 jobs · 25-1122+2.1% projected U.S. growth · 2.4k openings/yrTypical entry: Doctoral or professional degreeEditors$62,000 median wageSC estimate · 500 jobs · 27-3041-1.1% projected U.S. growth · 7.9k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeWriters and Authors$51,920 median wageSC estimate · 520 jobs · 27-3043-0.3% projected U.S. growth · 11.9k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeFilm and Video Editors$75,420 median wageU.S. estimate · 160 jobs · 27-4032+3.7% projected U.S. growth · 3.1k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeProofreaders and Copy Markers$42,900 median wageSC estimate · 40 jobs · 43-9081-0.9% projected U.S. growth · 1.1k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreePhotographers$37,890 median wageSC estimate · 630 jobs · 27-4021-0.7% projected U.S. growth · 10.7k openings/yrTypical entry: High school diploma or equivalentBroadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys$30,960 median wageSC estimate · 150 jobs · 27-3011-7.6% projected U.S. growth · 2k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degree

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