Best Political Science and Government 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
12
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$136,224
Across South Carolina programs
Average Annual Cost
$39,001
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Presbyterian College
Grad rate: 62.7% |
+$84,486 | $59,501 | $57,271 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Grad rate: 71.5% |
-$13,674 | $49,110 | $31,943 | $20,817 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Clemson University
Grad rate: 86.6% |
-$42,406 | $48,196 | $34,494 | $21,000 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Coastal Carolina University
Grad rate: 49.5% |
-$85,440 | $44,693 | $26,050 | $26,000 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
University of South Carolina-Upstate
Grad rate: 42.8% |
-$91,700 | $44,353 | $24,565 | $30,000 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Wofford College
Grad rate: 81.6% |
-$145,197 | $50,471 | $69,601 | $26,825 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Winthrop University
Grad rate: 61.1% |
-$155,230 | $42,116 | $30,275 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Furman University
Grad rate: 83.5% |
-$163,810 | $50,384 | $73,760 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
University of South Carolina-Columbia
Grad rate: 78.0% |
-$216,910 | $39,410 | $32,840 | $25,000 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
College of Charleston
Grad rate: 64.8% |
-$235,384 | $38,132 | $30,731 | $26,000 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Francis Marion University
Grad rate: 40.9% |
-$281,466 | $34,338 | $22,944 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Claflin University
Grad rate: 49.5% |
-$287,962 | $36,132 | $33,538 | $27,000 | 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 Political Science and Government Degrees by State
Browse Political Science and Government programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.