WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)-7% vs national median602 grads tracked

Engineering at University of South Carolina - Columbia

Ranked 41st of 80 doctoral (research) programs in Engineering by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$97,052
middle 50%: $60,329 – $132,110
Median · 5 years out
$129,928
middle 50%: $102,668 – $162,896
Median · 10 years out
$157,205
middle 50%: $119,554 – $200,544

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Engineering (doctoral (research)) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of University of South Carolina - Columbia's doctoral (research) program in Engineering earn a median $97,052 one year after graduating, rising to $157,205 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 7% below the national median of $139,316 for this field, ranking 41st of 80 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
3.2 yrs
≈ $3,370 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Massachusetts - Lowell
$132,457 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
$132,072 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Arlington
$131,085 · 5 yrs out
Ohio University
$130,918 · 5 yrs out
Old Dominion University
$130,386 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Commonwealth University
$130,026 · 5 yrs out
University of Oklahoma
$129,865 · 5 yrs out
University of Alabama in Huntsville
$129,686 · 5 yrs out
Wright State University
$128,877 · 5 yrs out
University of Alabama at Birmingham
$128,254 · 5 yrs out
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
$128,254 · 5 yrs out
University of Cincinnati
$128,047 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at University of South Carolina - Columbia

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$176,841 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$168,157 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$153,126 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$150,876 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Bachelor's)
$122,810 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$115,242 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$114,563 · 5 yrs out
Physical Sciences (Doctorate)
$102,325 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$100,689 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$100,245 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$99,491 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$99,491 · 5 yrs out

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