At $19,155/yr net price, University of South Dakota graduates earn $51,926/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $17,926/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $19,155 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $76,620 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $51,926/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$17,926/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 61.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,592 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $13,687/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,400/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,608/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,259/yr |
| $110,001+ | $21,432/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $100,951 | $112,617 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $97,071 | |
| Public Administration. | Master | $70,456 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $68,778 | $25,845 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $65,170 | |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $62,632 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $62,260 | $18,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $62,012 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $62,012 | |
| Medicine. | Doctoral | $57,860 |
The Risk Factor
61.4% of students at University of South Dakota graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 39% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
The University of South Dakota gives you a middling return. At $19,155 a year, four years runs about $77,000 before aid, and the median graduate earns $51,926 a decade out. That earnings figure sits close to the national median for bachelor's holders, so you break even but don't pull ahead. A 61% graduation rate is the bigger risk: if you leave without the degree, you keep the debt and lose the earnings bump that makes the price work.
The payoff depends heavily on your major. Computer and Information Sciences graduates clear $62,012, and nursing pays $57,693. Both put you well above the school's median and justify the cost. Finance graduates, by contrast, earn $44,971, and Health and Medical Administrative Services grads land around $44,021. Those are the weak spots. You'd carry the same $19,000-a-year price for outcomes that trail the CS and nursing tracks by roughly $13,000 to $17,000 a year.
Median debt of $23,592 is manageable against these salaries if you finish and pick a strong field. Nursing carries slightly more debt at $24,966, but the salary absorbs it. The finance track's lower earnings make its debt harder to clear.
The net price tiers work in your favor if your family earns under $30,000, where you pay $13,687. Above $110,000, you pay $21,432, and the gap between the top brackets is thin, so a middle-income family at $75,000 pays nearly the same as a wealthy one. USD fits you if you're targeting nursing, health, or computing and can commit to finishing in four years. If you're drawn to finance or the administrative programs, run the numbers hard before you sign.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of South Dakota worth the cost?
With a net price of $19,155 and median post-graduation earnings of $51,926, University of South Dakota offers decent value for students who graduate. The school's 61% graduation rate means significant dropout risk, but median debt of $23,592 is manageable for most career paths.
What are the highest paying majors at University of South Dakota?
Allied Health programs lead with median earnings of $100,951, followed by Educational Administration at $97,071. Business and rehabilitation programs earn $65,000-69,000, which provides solid returns on the relatively low tuition costs.
How much debt do University of South Dakota graduates typically have?
Graduates leave with a median debt of $23,592, which is below the national average. Given the school's low net price of $19,155 per year, most students can complete their degree without excessive borrowing.
Does University of South Dakota have good job prospects after graduation?
Job prospects vary significantly by major, with healthcare and education administration graduates earning strong salaries above $90,000. The school's 99% acceptance rate and 61% graduation rate suggest academic support challenges that could affect career preparation.