University of South Carolina-Upstate
University of South Carolina-Upstate — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of South Carolina-Upstate at a Glance
The University of South Carolina Upstate is a public university in Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States. It has a Spartanburg postal address. Founded in 1967 and formerly known as University of South Carolina Spartanburg, the institution changed its name in the summer of 2004. It offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees for students in the Upstate and surrounding areas. It is part of the University of South Carolina System and home to approximately 5,200 students and 340 full-time …
1967
59 years old
$13M
$12.6 million
4,913
4,481 undergrad · 432 grad
377
330 acres
Identity
Is University of South Carolina-Upstate Worth It?
At a value score of 38/100, University of South Carolina-Upstate is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $48,587 — 10% below average — while paying $13,557/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 43% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at University of South Carolina-Upstate has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How University of South Carolina-Upstate compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #70 of 136 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #4 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #5 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #6 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #70 | University of South Carolina-Upstate | 38 | $13,557 | $48,587 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of South Carolina-Upstate's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in SC.
Best Programs at University of South Carolina-Upstate
The highest-earning program at University of South Carolina-Upstate is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $57,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $21,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from University of South Carolina-Upstate earns $57,700, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $21,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $17,500 in median debt vs. $21,750 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $13,557/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $57,700 | $57,700 | $17,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $42,100 | $42,100 | $26,750 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $34,300 | $34,300 | $21,800 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $31,100 | $31,100 | $19,750 |
| History | $29,900 | $29,900 | $22,091 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $29,800 | $29,800 | $23,334 |
| Psychology, General | $27,800 | $27,800 | $24,340 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $26,200 | $26,200 | N/A |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $26,100 | $26,100 | $26,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $22,400 | $22,400 | $26,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $21,500 | $21,500 | $21,750 |
Similar Colleges in SC
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Spartanburg, SC
- Student Body
- 4,038 students
- Admission Rate
- 67%
- Graduation Rate
- 43%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $13,557
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $48,587
- Median Student Debt
- $22,310