What do students want to study at USC? Here are the fastest-growing programs
It’s no secret that University of South Carolina is growing by leaps and bounds every year, recently surpassing a landmark enrollment of 40,000 students. But what are all these students studying?
The school offers more than 350 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, with options for additional certifications and specializations.
Here the fastest-growing programs, top degrees and notable new offerings at USC, according to data provided by the university.
Five fastest-growing programs
From the fall of 2021 to the fall of 2025, five programs at USC were among those with the fastest-growing enrollment with more than 200 students.
- Cardiovascular technology
- Aerospace engineering
- Advertising
- Public health
- Civil engineering
In 2021, 143 students with enrolled in the school’s cardiovascular technology program. By 2025, it rose to 350 students, a 144.76% increase.
Aerospace engineering went from 150 students to 324 students, a 116% jump.
USC’s advertising program grew from 265 to 499 students, an 88.3% increase.
The public health program, which awards a bachelor of arts degree, saw a 60.25% increase, with enrollment going from 552 to 883 students.
Civil engineering went from 339 students to 488 students, an increase of 43.95%.
Business and nursing programs at USC, some of the highest-interest degrees at the university, have enrollment caps and therefore not included in this data. Both are considered among some of the best in the nation, according to rankings by U.S. News and World Report.
Top ten programs by enrollment
This year, health sciences and business education reigned supreme at USC, and are consistently sought degrees.
- Biological sciences with 2,222 students
- Pre-business with 1,831 students
- Nursing with 1,691 students
- Finance with 1,461 students
- Sport and entertainment management with 1,459 students
- Psychology with 1,439 students
- Exercise science with 1,270 students
- Criminology and criminal justice with 910 students
- Public health (bachelor of arts) with 883 students
- Public health (bachelor of science) with 831 students
Four emerging programs with high interest
- Neuroscience
- Sports media
- Special education
- Data analytics
These programs were added to the university’s roster of offerings in the last five years.
Neuroscience, which had a fall 2025 enrollment of 455 students, was added because of student demand. Mega-donor and USC alumnus Peter McCausland heavily invested in the program, along with the College of Arts and Sciences, following a historic $75 million gift in April. The college was named after McCausland and his wife, Bonnie.
Sports media had with 232 students enrolled, was also added due to student demand.
Special education and data analytics were also recent additions in response to employer demands. These programs had 69 and 44 students enrolled, respectively.
Industrial engineering was a recent program addition.
