Graduation Rates
From Fall 2018 to Spring 2023 there have been 645 MLIS degrees awarded from the University of South Carolina. In that time, 47% of students earned their degree in less than two years. The average time to degree for MLIS students is 2.5 years. This data includes student leaves of absence.
Retention Rates by Semester
Fall
| Year | Not Retained | Retained |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 6.01% | 93.99% |
| 2022 | 8.4% | 91.6% |
| 2021 | 6.48% | 93.52% |
| 2020 | 6.20% | 93.80% |
| 2019 | 6.63% | 93.37% |
| 2018 | 6.91% | 93.09% |
| 2017 | 8.93% | 91.07% |
Spring
| Year | Not Retained | Retained |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 9.80% | 90.20% |
| 2023 | 8.38% | 91.62% |
| 2022 | 5.88% | 94.12% |
| 2021 | 7.62% | 92.38% |
| 2020 | 7.81% | 92.19% |
| 2019 | 6.60% | 93.40% |
| 2018 | 6.88% | 93.12% |
Summer
| Year | Not Retained | Retained |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8.13% | 91.87% |
| 2023 | 4.18% | 95.82% |
| 2022 | 6.61% | 93.39% |
| 2021 | 4.29% | 95.71% |
| 2020 | 4.98% | 95.02% |
| 2019 | 5.74% | 94.26% |
| 2018 | 7.29% | 92.71% |
Post-Graduation Job Placement
Our most recent job placement data is from our Fall 2025 survey. We had 48 students graduate in fall 2025.
Overall LIS Field Placement:
- In LIS positions: 65%
- School Librarians: 27%
- Public Librarians: 23%
- Archives/Special Collections: 8%
- Library staff/paraprofessional: 6%
- Not in LIS field: 27%
- Unemployed/Actively seeking: 8%
Career Advancement:
- Accepting promotion: 7 graduates
- Accepting new position: 6 graduates
- Remaining in current position: Majority (often while exploring other options)
2020-2021 Career Placement Data
- Total number of students surveyed: 118
- Response Rate: 52 surveys returned; 44.07% of students responded
- Degrees: 94% of responses were from students who received a MLIS, 2% from students who received a certificate, 4% from students who received the Specialist degree.
- Graduation Term:
- 55% graduated in Fall 2020
- 33% graduated in Spring 2021
- 2% graduated in Summer 2021
- 10% graduated prior to Fall 2020
- Employed Full time: 92% employed full-time and 80% are employed within the LIS profession.
- 57% did not work in the LIS field prior to earning their degree.
- 51% received a raise and/or a promotion upon degree completion.
- 53% of students found a job within 6 months of graduation.
- 75% of respondents make at least $40,000.
- A sample of job titles of graduates:
- Collection Development Librarian
- School Library Media Specialist
- Government Librarian
- Academic Librarian
- Project Archivist
- Digital Resources Librarian
- Cataloging Assistant
- Assistant Library Director
- Park Guide
- Web Content Editor
- Research and Instruction Librarian for Special Collections
Our most recent job placement data is from our Fall 2025 survey. We had 48 students graduate in fall 2025.
Overall LIS Field Placement:
- In LIS positions: 65%
- School Librarians: 27%
- Public Librarians: 23%
- Archives/Special Collections: 8%
- Library staff/paraprofessional: 6%
- Not in LIS field: 27%
- Unemployed/Actively seeking: 8%
Career Advancement:
- Accepting promotion: 7 graduates
- Accepting new position: 6 graduates
- Remaining in current position: Majority (often while exploring other options)