Best Communication and Media Studies Degrees in South Carolina by ROI
Colleges in South Carolina ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in South Carolina
11
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$309,335
Across South Carolina programs
Average Annual Cost
$34,686
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
College of Charleston
Grad rate: 64.8% |
-$77,991 | $45,816 | $30,731 | $23,250 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Furman University
Grad rate: 83.5% |
-$106,811 | $52,939 | $73,760 | $22,631 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
University of South Carolina Aiken
Grad rate: 41.3% |
-$186,868 | $38,731 | $20,922 | $28,000 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Columbia College
Grad rate: 54.4% |
-$226,889 | $40,157 | $37,840 | $28,644 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Coastal Carolina University
Grad rate: 49.5% |
-$234,530 | $37,171 | $26,050 | $25,000 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Winthrop University
Grad rate: 61.1% |
-$311,170 | $34,319 | $30,275 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
South Carolina State University
Grad rate: 32.0% |
-$372,928 | $31,468 | $29,957 | $31,452 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
University of South Carolina-Upstate
Grad rate: 42.8% |
-$387,690 | $29,351 | $24,565 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Claflin University
Grad rate: 49.5% |
-$469,482 | $27,326 | $33,538 | $31,000 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Charleston Southern University
Grad rate: 46.0% |
-$473,386 | $28,951 | $43,989 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Benedict College
Grad rate: 20.4% |
-$554,944 | $20,237 | $29,921 | N/A | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Communication and Media Studies Degrees by State
Browse Communication and Media Studies programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.