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University of South Carolina Majors Overview: Salary, Courses & Career Outcomes

Every major at University of South Carolina with graduate salary, course catalog depth, and career preparation data.

#	Major	US Rank	University of South Carolina Salary	National Median	Premium	Degrees/Year	Courses
1	Computer Science	—	$78,750	$75,000	+5%	261	25
Featured Courses: ENCP 103: Exploratory Topics in Engineering and Computing ENCP 105: Professional Development and Ethics in Engineering and Computing ENCP 111: The Science and Design of Coffee ENCP 200: Statics ENCP 210: Dynamics
2	Engineering	—	$75,600	$72,000	+5%	442	279
Featured Courses: AESP 265: Aerodynamics I Incompressible Flow AESP 314: Air-Breathing and Rocket Propulsion Technologies AESP 350: Aerospace Systems AESP 361: Aerospace Laboratory I AESP 362: Aerospace Laboratory II
3	Mathematics & Statistics	—	$65,100	$62,000	+5%	65	110
Featured Courses: MATH 111: Basic College Mathematics MATH 111I: Intensive Basic College Mathematics MATH 112: Trigonometry MATH 115: Precalculus Mathematics MATH 116: Brief Precalculus Mathematics
4	Business	—	$57,750	$55,000	+5%	1,750	302
Featured Courses: ACCT 222: Survey of Accounting ACCT 324: Survey of Commercial Law ACCT 335: Survey of Federal Taxation ACCT 401: Financial Accounting I ACCT 402: Cost/Managerial Accounting
5	Health Professions	—	$54,600	$52,000	+5%	781	66
Featured Courses: LANU 104: Nursing Care Management I LANU 106: Pharmacologic Basics LANU 159: Nurse Care Management II LANU 206: Clinical Skills Application LANU 209: Nursing Management III
6	Physical Sciences	—	$50,400	$48,000	+5%	69	181
Featured Courses: ASTR 103: Astrobiology: Quest For Alien Life ASTR 301: Galactic Astrophysics ASTR 302: Extragalactic Astronomy ASTR 499: Undergraduate Research ASTR 510: Observational Astronomy
7	Social Sciences	—	$47,250	$45,000	+5%	354	483
Featured Courses: ANTH 101: Primates, People, and Prehistory ANTH 102: Understanding Other Cultures ANTH 201: Anthropological Inquiry in Undergraduate Research ANTH 203: Comparing Cultures Through Film ANTH 204: Plagues Past and Present
8	Biological Sciences	—	$44,100	$42,000	+5%	705	140
Featured Courses: BIOL 101: Biological Principles I BIOL 101L: Biological Principles I Laboratory BIOL 102: Biological Principles II BIOL 102L: Biological Principles II Laboratory BIOL 120: Human Biology
9	Homeland Security & Law Enforcement	—	$44,100	$42,000	+5%	199	—
10	Communication & Journalism	—	$42,000	$40,000	+5%	416	164
Featured Courses: COMM 201: Applied Interpersonal Communication COMM 202: Social Influence and Persuasion COMM 203: Communication in Teams COMM 204: Conflict and Negotiation COMM 308: Media and Youth
11	Natural Resources & Conservation	—	$42,000	$40,000	+5%	75	63
Featured Courses: ENVR 121: Green Explorations ENVR 122: Green Engagements ENVR 200: Natural History of South Carolina ENVR 201: Environmental Science and Policy I ENVR 202: Environmental Science and Policy II
12	History	—	$42,000	$40,000	+5%	56	178
Featured Courses: HIST 101: European Civilization from Ancient Times to the Mid-17th Century HIST 102: European Civilization from the Mid-17th Century HIST 108: Science and Technology in World History HIST 110: Conquest, Colonization, and Captivity: A Cultural History of the Americas from 1441 to 1888 HIST 111: United States History to 1865
13	Education	—	$39,900	$38,000	+5%	157	243
Featured Courses: EDCE 210: Career Planning and Development EDCE 340: Counseling Through a Multicultural Lens: Understanding Self and Others EDCE 350: Interpersonal Communication Skills EDCE 370: Love and Healthy Relationships EDCE 502: Guidance Techniques for Classroom Teachers
14	Public Administration & Social Services	—	$39,900	$38,000	+5%	40	33
Featured Courses: SOWK 222: Social Welfare Policies and Programs SOWK 303: Social Work With Children, Youth, and Families SOWK 304: Social Work With Older Adults and Families SOWK 305: Gender, Race and Social Justice SOWK 307: Global Inequalities and Social Justice
15	Area/Ethnic/Cultural Studies	—	$39,900	$38,000	+5%	34	100
Featured Courses: AFAM 200: Freedom Papers: Narratives of Race and Nation AFAM 218: Convergence and Divergence in African American and Jewish Relations: Historical and Contemporary AFAM 303: African-American Cultures AFAM 308: African-American Feminist Theory AFAM 330: Psychology and the African-American Experience
16	Foreign Languages & Linguistics	—	$39,900	$38,000	+5%	23	244
Featured Courses: ARAB 121: Elementary Arabic ARAB 122: Basic Proficiency in Arabic ARAB 201: Intermediate Arabic I ARAB 202: Intermediate Arabic II ARAB 301: Advanced Arabic Language I
17	Philosophy & Religious Studies	—	$39,900	$38,000	+5%	19	87
Featured Courses: PHIL 101: Special Topics in Philosophy PHIL 103: Special Topics in Ethics and Values PHIL 210: Philosophical Themes in Literature PHIL 211: Contemporary Moral Issues PHIL 212: Images of the Human Person
18	Psychology	—	$37,800	$36,000	+5%	376	70
Featured Courses: EDPY 336: Child and Adolescent Development EDPY 401: Learners and the Diversity of Learning EDPY 401P: Practicum: Learners and the Diversity of Learning EDPY 644: Free-Choice Learning and Informal Learning Environments PSYC 103: Psychology of Adjustment
19	English Language & Literature	—	$37,800	$36,000	+5%	55	155
Featured Courses: CPLT 150: Values and Ethics in Literature CPLT 270: World Literature CPLT 300: What is Comparative Literature CPLT 301: Great Books of the Western World I CPLT 302: Great Books of the Western World II
20	Parks, Recreation & Fitness	—	$36,750	$35,000	+5%	296	60
Featured Courses: ATEP 300: First Aid and CPR ATEP 300L: First Aid and CPR Lab ATEP 310: Emergency Medical Response ATEP 310L: Emergency Medical Responder Lab EXSC 110: Holistic Health and Fitness
21	Liberal Arts & General Studies	—	$36,750	$35,000	+5%	136	—
22	Visual & Performing Arts	—	$35,700	$34,000	+5%	220	770
Featured Courses: ARTE 201: Special Topics in Art Education ARTE 260: Interdisciplinary Relationships in the Arts ARTE 345: Art Evaluation ARTE 520: Art for Elementary Schools ARTE 525: Elementary Methods for K-12 Art Certification

Career Path Match at University of South Carolina 🎖️ DeepColleges Exclusive

How many courses at University of South Carolina align with each career direction. More relevant courses mean better preparation for your target career.

Music Industry & Production 114

AFAM 382: Lemonade and Beyond: Black Women's Agency and Community Building Through Musical Performance ANTH 553: Anthropological Approaches to Narrative and Performance ARTS 107: Color and Composition BADM 302: Mastering Artificial Intelligence for Business CSCE 512: System Performance Evaluation

Pre-Med / Clinical Medicine 110

ANTH 263: Medical Experimentation and the Black Body ANTH 551: Medical Anthropology: Fieldwork ANTH 552: Medical Anthropology ARTH 333: Art, Anatomy, and Medicine, 1700-Present ATEP 310: Emergency Medical Response

Sociology & Anthropology 87

ANTH 161: Human Origins: An Introduction to Biological Anthropology ANTH 206: Anthropology of Magic and Religion ANTH 208: Anthropology of Globalization and Development ANTH 214: Drinking in Culture: Anthropology of Alcohol ANTH 262: Basic Forensic Anthropology

Film & Video Production 75

AFAM 517: An Anthropological View of Blacks in Film ANTH 203: Comparing Cultures Through Film ANTH 225: Archaeology in Film and Popular Culture ANTH 517: An Anthropological View of Blacks in Film ANTH 570: Ethnographic Film

Education & Teaching 62

ECIV 502: Life Cycle Assessment of Engineered Systems EDCS 625: Solving Practical Problems in School Curriculum DANC 470: Dance Pedagogy for Middle and High School EDEC 245: Foundations of Early Literacy Development EDEC 336: Culturally Relevant Pedagogy in Early Childhood Classrooms

Management Consulting & Strategy 54

AERO 101L: Leadership Laboratory 101 AERO 102L: Leadership Laboratory 102 AERO 201: Team and Leadership Fundamentals I AERO 201L: Leadership Laboratory 201 AERO 202: Team and Leadership Fundamentals II

Linguistics & Translation 51

ANTH 600: Survey of Linguistics ARAB 320: Introduction to Modern Arab Literature in Translation CHIN 518: Introduction to Chinese Linguistics: Structure of Chinese CLAS 401: Greek and Latin Literature in Translation COMD 507: Language Theory and Phonetics

Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering 48

AESP 265: Aerodynamics I Incompressible Flow AESP 365: Aerodynamics II: Compressible Flow AESP 466: Flight Dynamics and Control AERO 499L: Extended Cadet Leader Leadership Laboratory BMEN 290: Thermodynamics of Biomolecular Systems

Marketing & Brand Strategy 46

HTMT 350: Beverage Marketing and Promotion HTMT 450: Hospitality and Tourism Marketing IBUS 402: International Marketing IBUS 502: International Marketing IBUS 521: Ethnographic Methods in International Marketing

Public Health & Epidemiology 46

ANTH 380: Anthropology of Global Health BIOL 202: Infectious Diseases, Human Health, and Ethics BIOL 203: Exploration of Infectious Diseases BMEN 342: Infectious Disease & Immunology for Biomedical Engineers COMD 401: Public Health Perspective in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Journalism & Media 42

AESP 265: Aerodynamics I Incompressible Flow AESP 365: Aerodynamics II: Compressible Flow ARTE 550: Incorporating Digital Media in Art Education ARTH 551: Special Topics in Film and Media Studies COMM 596: Study Abroad in Journalism and Mass Communications

Mental Health & Clinical Psychology 40

ECIV 502: Life Cycle Assessment of Engineered Systems EDCE 340: Counseling Through a Multicultural Lens: Understanding Self and Others EDCE 360: Introduction to the Counseling Profession EDCE 503: Family Counseling EDCE 510: Introduction to Counseling

Public Policy & Government 39

ACCT 425: Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting ACCT 625: Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting CYBR 391: Special Topics in Cyber Policy and Governance ECON 379: Government Policy Toward Business FINA 473: Corporate Governance and Agency Conflicts

Climate & Earth Science 36

ENHS 555: Climate Change Impacts on Human Health FINA 462: Climate Change Risk Management, Insurance, and Finance GEOG 345: Introduction to Remote Sensing GEOG 551: Remote Sensing of the Environment GEOL 110: Cultural Geology

Marine & Ocean Science 34

BIOL 450: Principles of Biological Oceanography BIOL 537: Aquaculture BIOL 574: Marine Conservation Biology BIOL 575: Marine Ecology BIOL 575L: Marine Ecology Laboratory

Data Science & Analytics 29

BIOL 588: Genomic Data Science BIOS 410: Introduction to Biostatistical Modeling CSCE 582: Bayesian Networks and Decision Graphs CSCE 587: Big Data Analytics ECON 336: Introduction to Data Science for Economists

Software Engineering 27

CSCE 101: Introduction to Computer and Programming Concepts using AI Tools CSCE 106: Scientific Applications Programming CSCE 205: Business Applications Programming CSCE 209: Special Topics in Computer Programming CSCE 240: Advanced Programming Techniques

Chemical & Materials Engineering 27

ARTS 220: Introduction to Ceramics ARTS 320: Intermediate Ceramics I ARTS 321: Intermediate Ceramics II ARTS 420: Advanced Ceramics ARTS 421: Advanced Ceramics II

Nonprofit & Social Impact 27

GLST 201: Diplomacy, Advocacy, and Global Policy HIST 350: Saving Africa: Development and Humanitarianism in Historical Perspective MUSC 100A: Music Advocacy I: Understanding the Power of Your Music PHIL 532: Social Justice PORT 360: Social Justice in the Lusophone World

Environmental Engineering 26

ACCT 550: Sustainability Reporting & Analysis ECIV 350: Introduction to Environmental Engineering ECIV 350L: Introduction to Environmental Engineering Laboratory ECIV 551: Elements of Water and Wastewater Treatment ECIV 556: Air Pollution Control Engineering

Entrepreneurship & Startups 24

ENCP 533: Legal Aspects of Engineering & Innovation ENCP 535: Developing and Launching New Ventures in Science and Technology ENCP 536: Innovation and New Venture Analysis ENTR 250: Special Topics in Entrepreneurship ENTR 301: Startup Finance, Legal Structures, and Business Systems

International Relations & Diplomacy 24

ECON 503: International Trade Economics GEOG 312: Geography and Global Geopolitics GEOG 314: Geopolitics and Refugees GEOG 380: Global Human Rights GLST 201: Diplomacy, Advocacy, and Global Policy

Accounting & Audit 23

ACCT 222: Survey of Accounting ACCT 225: Introduction to Financial Accounting ACCT 226: Introduction to Managerial Accounting ACCT 335: Survey of Federal Taxation ACCT 401: Financial Accounting I

Chemistry & Pharmaceutical Research 23

CHEM 118: Computational Chemistry I CHEM 318: Computational Chemistry II CHEM 322: Analytical Chemistry CHEM 322L: Analytical Chemistry Laboratory CHEM 331L: Essentials of Organic Chemistry Laboratory I

Sports Analytics & Management 22

EDEX 590: Foundations to Support Youth & Young Adults with Disabilities through Applied Transition Coaching EXSC 200: Introduction to Sports Medicine and Athletic Training EXSC 330: Exercise Physiology EXSC 330L: Exercise Physiology Lab EXSC 531: Clinical Exercise Physiology

Graphic & Visual Design 21

ARTS 245: Typographic Design I ARTS 246: Typographic Design II ARTS 265: Illustration I ARTS 266: Illustration II ARTS 370: Special Topics in Graphic Design

Investment Banking & Finance 18

ARTE 345: Art Evaluation COMD 526: Disorders of Articulation: Evaluation and Therapy CSCE 512: System Performance Evaluation ECON 301: Money and Banking EDET 652: Design and Evaluation of Games and Simulations

Supply Chain & Logistics 17

ECIV 340: Introduction to Transportation Engineering ECIV 340L: Transportation Engineering Laboratory ECIV 540: Transportation Systems Planning ECIV 582: Operation and Logistics of Railway Systems FAME 599: Media Management and Distribution

Neuroscience & Brain Research 16

BIOL 405: Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology BIOL 635: Neurophysiology BIOL 635L: Neurophysiology Laboratory CSCE 584: Neural Networks and Their Applications EXSC 610: Neuroscience of Human Performance

Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation 16

BMEN 263: Introduction to Biomechanics BMEN 565: Advanced Biomechanics EDEX 525: The Nature of Orthopedic and Special Health Problems EXSC 200: Introduction to Sports Medicine and Athletic Training EXSC 201: Foundations of Physical Therapy

Architecture & Spatial Design 16

ARTS 390: Special Topics in Art Studio ARTS 448: Portfolio Studio ARTS 450: Intermedia Studio I ARTS 451: Intermedia Studio II ECIV 230: Introduction to Construction Engineering

Economics & Economic Research 16

ECON 221: Principles of Microeconomics ECON 222: Principles of Macroeconomics ECON 329: American Economic History ECON 406: Labor Economics ECON 436: Introductory Econometrics

AI / Machine Learning 15

BADM 302: Mastering Artificial Intelligence for Business CSCE 180: Artificial Intelligence for All CSCE 580: Artificial Intelligence CSCE 581: Trusted Artificial Intelligence CSCE 583: Applied Machine Learning Using Python

Aerospace Engineering 15

AESP 101: Introduction into Aerospace Engineering AESP 265: Aerodynamics I Incompressible Flow AESP 314: Air-Breathing and Rocket Propulsion Technologies AESP 350: Aerospace Systems AESP 361: Aerospace Laboratory I

Biomedical Engineering 15

BMEN 101: Introduction to Biomedical Engineering BMEN 263: Introduction to Biomechanics BMEN 271: Introduction to Biomaterials BMEN 302: Professional Development and Ethics in Biomedical Engineering BMEN 303: Professional Development and Ethics in Biomedical Engineering

Biotechnology & Genetics 15

BIOL 206: Genetics and Society BIOL 302: Cell and Molecular Biology BIOL 302L: Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory BIOL 303: Fundamental Genetics BIOL 303L: Fundamental Genetics Laboratory

Real Estate & Development 13

ECON 500: Urban Economics FINA 366: Introduction to Real Estate and Urban Development FINA 367: Real Estate Market Analysis FINA 466: Real Estate Investment Fundamentals FINA 467: Real Estate Finance

Mathematics & Pure Research 13

MATH 242: Elementary Differential Equations MATH 520: Ordinary Differential Equations MATH 521: Boundary Value Problems and Partial Differential Equations MATH 531: Foundations of Geometry MATH 532: Modern Geometry

Psychology Research (Non-Clinical) 13

PSYC 350: Industrial Psychology PSYC 400: Survey of Learning and Memory PSYC 405: Cognitive Psychology PSYC 420: Survey of Developmental Psychology PSYC 430: Survey of Social Psychology

Game Development & Design 12

BMEN 411: Modeling and Simulation of Biomedical Systems CSCE 552: Computer Game Development CSCE 563: Systems Simulation ECON 555: Game Theory in Economics EDET 652: Design and Evaluation of Games and Simulations

Actuarial Science & Insurance 12

FINA 341: Management of Risk and Insurance FINA 442: Life and Health Insurance FINA 443: Property and Liability Insurance FINA 444: Corporate Risk Management FINA 446: Insurance Operations

Fashion & Luxury Industry 12

RETL 115: Fashion History: A Global View RETL 201: Exploration of Retail Management and Fashion Merchandising Industries RETL 268: Principles of Fashion Merchandising RETL 348: Digital Innovations in Fashion Merchandising RETL 365: Visual Merchandising and Store Design

Physics & Astrophysics 12

ASTR 301: Galactic Astrophysics ASTR 340: Introduction to Relativistic Astrophysics ASTR 546: Introduction to Astrophysics CHEM 542: Physical Chemistry II: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy CHEM 542L: Physical Chemistry Laboratory II: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy

Electrical & Hardware Engineering 11

CSCE 211: Digital Logic Design CSCE 313: Embedded Systems CSCE 612: VLSI System Design CSCE 613: Fundamentals of VLSI Chip Design ELCT 201: Introductory Electrical Engineering Laboratory

Food Science & AgTech 11

ANTH 568: Nutritional Anthropology BIOL 465: Domestic Animal Nutrition EXSC 507: Exercise, Sport, and Nutrition EXSC 620: Nutrition and Immunology HPEB 502: Applied Aspects of Human Nutrition

Civil Engineering & Infrastructure 10

ECIV 327: Reinforced Concrete Design ECIV 330: Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering ECIV 330L: Geotechnical Laboratory ECIV 340: Introduction to Transportation Engineering ECIV 340L: Transportation Engineering Laboratory

Robotics & Autonomous Systems 8

CSCE 313: Embedded Systems CSCE 574: Robotics ELCT 331: Control Systems ELCT 531: Digital Control Systems GEOG 285: Introduction to Drones for Airborne Spatial Data

UX / Product Design 8

ARTS 347: Interaction Design ARTS 547: Advanced Interaction Design CSCE 572: Human-Computer Interaction EDET 215: Introduction to Design Thinking and Computer Science Education ISCI 249: Principles of User Experience and Design (UX/UI)

Pre-Law / Legal Studies 8

AFAM 335: The American Civil Rights Movement CRJU 314: Criminal Law HIST 455: The American Civil Rights Movement PHIL 531: Jurisprudence POLI 450: Constitutional Law I: Institutional Powers

Cybersecurity 7

CSCE 518: Ethical Hacking CSCE 522: Information Security Principles CSCE 557: Introduction to Cryptography ISCI 317: Blockchain, Privacy, and Decentralization ITEC 293: Cybersecurity Operations

Space Industry & NewSpace 7

AESP 350: Aerospace Systems ASTR 103: Astrobiology: Quest For Alien Life GEOG 345: Introduction to Remote Sensing GEOG 551: Remote Sensing of the Environment GEOG 562: Satellite Mapping and the Global Positioning System

Cloud Computing & DevOps 4

CSCE 207: UNIX System Administration CSCE 569: Parallel Computing ISCI 530: Applications of Information Technology and the Infrastructure ITEC 540: Cloud Computing and Virtualization

Bioinformatics & Computational Biology 4

BIOL 553: Genomics BIOL 653: Bioinformatics CSCE 555: Algorithms in Bioinformatics ENHS 664: Environmental Genomics

ESG & Impact Investing 4

ACCT 550: Sustainability Reporting & Analysis EDTE 202: Global Citizenship and Social Responsibility through Education IBUS 427: Global Stakeholder Management MGMT 407: Corporate Social Responsibility and Stakeholder Management

Clean Energy & Sustainability Engineering 3

ELCT 510: Photovoltaic Materials and Devices ELCT 551: Power Systems Design and Analysis ELCT 554: Integration of Photovoltaics in Modern Power Systems

FinTech & Blockchain 2

ISCI 316: Blockchain and Cryptocurrency ISCI 317: Blockchain, Privacy, and Decentralization

Quantum Computing 2

CHEM 542: Physical Chemistry II: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy CHEM 542L: Physical Chemistry Laboratory II: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy

AR / VR / Spatial Computing 1

CSCE 565: Introduction to Computer Graphics

Pharmacy & Drug Development 1

NURS 318: Application of Pathophysiology and Pharmacology in Nursing

Highest & Lowest ROI Majors at University of South Carolina

Highest-Earning Majors

Computer Science

$78,750/yr

Engineering

$75,600/yr

Mathematics & Statistics

$65,100/yr

Lowest-Earning Majors

Visual & Performing Arts

$35,700/yr

Liberal Arts & General Studies

$36,750/yr

Parks, Recreation & Fitness

$36,750/yr

Popular Majors at University of South Carolina

The most popular fields of study, ranked by the number of degrees awarded.

Business/Marketing

31.9%

Health Professions

10.7%

Biological Sciences

9.8%

Engineering

6.1%

Communication

5.7%

Best Majors at University of South Carolina →

University of South Carolina Majors FAQs

What are the most popular majors at University of South Carolina?

University of South Carolina's most popular majors by share of degrees awarded are: Business/Marketing (31.9%), Health Professions (10.7%), Biological Sciences (9.8%). The full ranking by graduate salary is in the table above.

Which major at University of South Carolina pays the most?

The highest-earning major at University of South Carolina is Computer Science, with a median 4-year-out salary of $78,750 — well above the school-wide median of $62,177.

Are some majors at University of South Carolina harder to get into than others?

Yes. University of South Carolina's overall acceptance rate is 61.5%, but selective programs (computer science, business, engineering, nursing) often admit at lower rates than the school-wide average. Check program-specific admission stats where available.

Should I pick my major based on salary at University of South Carolina?

Salary should be one factor, not the only one. Major choice impacts earnings (engineering and CS typically lead) but career fit, course interest, and graduation-rate within the major also matter. The salary table above shows the median pay by program at University of South Carolina.