University of South Carolina-Columbia vs University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
University of South Carolina-Columbia and University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus are closely matched on financial return. University of South Carolina-Columbia scores 72/100 while University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus scores 70/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, University of South Carolina-Columbia comes in at $22,811 per year (net price after aid) versus $30,434 at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus - a difference of $7,623 annually, or roughly $30,492 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus graduates earn a median of $66,125 compared to $62,177 at University of South Carolina-Columbia. The payback period is 8.5 years at University of South Carolina-Columbia versus 8.4 years at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus.
Graduates leave University of South Carolina-Columbia with a median $21,500 in debt versus $24,250 at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.49 and 0.55 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of South Carol... | University of Pittsburgh-... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $12,688 | $21,926 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $35,972 | $41,430 |
| Net Price (avg) | $22,811 | $30,434 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $91,244 | $121,736 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $43,900 | $44,300 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $62,177 | $66,125 |
| Graduation Rate | 78.8% | 85.5% |
| Payback Period | 8.5 yr | 8.4 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $21,500 | $24,250 |
| Monthly Payment | $228 | $257 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.49 | 0.55 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 75.9% | 84.2% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 74.5% | 79.8% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 60.2% | 58.1% |
| Enrollment | 29,820 | 20,370 |
| SAT Range | 1180-1360 | 1280-1460 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of South ... | University of Pittsb... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $12,634 | $14,709 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $14,953 | $18,371 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $19,859 | $23,192 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $24,478 | $31,567 |
| $110,001+ | $28,125 | $36,008 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of South ... | University of Pittsb... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $109,116 | $110,417 |
| Electrical Engineering | $100,042 | $102,572 |
| Chemical Engineering | $98,244 | $97,324 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $97,927 | $86,893 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $70,527 | $95,917 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $92,578 | $95,087 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $91,296 | $90,768 |
| Accounting | $86,507 | $82,966 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $84,720 | $65,892 |
| Civil Engineering | $84,148 | $77,608 |
| Registered Nursing | $80,768 | $83,313 |
| Marketing | $81,945 | $75,461 |
| Economics | $77,536 | $76,549 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences | $70,284 | $57,456 |
| Chemistry | $58,462 | $70,206 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of South ... | University of Pittsb... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 66 | 56 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 72 | 72 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 75 | 64 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 88 | 94 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 57 | 83 |
| Overall ROI Score | 72 | 70 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of South Carolina-Columbia edges out University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus by 2 points (72 vs 70), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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University of South Carolina-Columbia
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.