Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at University of South Dakota, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 45% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 52nd percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (SD wage index 0.86). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at University of South Dakota
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | — | $74,816 | +27% | #50 of 275 | #24 | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $71,758 | $73,025 | -18% | #920 of 966 | #876 | $24,966 |
| Economics | $52,857 | $71,463 | -14% | #255 of 368 | #200 | $20,250 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $57,234 | $71,179 | -7% | #453 of 796 | #357 | $22,750 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $49,472 | $70,100 | -16% | #342 of 452 | #274 | $20,500 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $61,265 | $68,556 | +1% | #37 of 76 | #23 | $26,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $47,107 | $64,890 | -5% | #584 of 1176 | #411 | $20,824 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | — | $64,104 | +26% | #3 of 63 | #1 | — |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | — | $64,069 | +9% | #45 of 215 | #26 | $22,000 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences | $44,109 | $61,518 | +0% | #65 of 156 | #45 | $21,125 |
| Political Science and Government | $31,973 | $61,362 | -3% | #297 of 565 | #170 | $26,000 |
| Biology | $30,167 | $58,099 | +2% | #416 of 841 | #261 | $21,843 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $40,402 | $58,046 | +5% | #210 of 660 | #102 | $21,500 |
| Marketing | $48,060 | $55,261 | -20% | #458 of 516 | #424 | $23,488 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $41,191 | $52,211 | +0% | #23 of 50 | #20 | $25,850 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $35,792 | $52,100 | -8% | #382 of 660 | #282 | $23,625 |
| Psychology | $31,696 | $50,993 | +1% | #461 of 1027 | #235 | $23,625 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $35,907 | $50,306 | -5% | #294 of 476 | #212 | $21,125 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $42,543 | $50,270 | -2% | #185 of 345 | #139 | $25,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $43,790 | $46,034 | -3% | #432 of 680 | #354 | $25,500 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $46,439 | $45,415 | -10% | #149 of 177 | #138 | $25,000 |
| History | $28,431 | $45,096 | -11% | #375 of 459 | #296 | $25,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $25,327 | $43,945 | +6% | #149 of 423 | #81 | $27,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $33,852 | — | — | — | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | $26,957 | $31,155 | -36% | #574 of 576 | #572 | $25,000 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
The University of South Dakota Town Property Report
- Avg home value near campus: $276,790
- Avg rent near campus: $813/mo — vs ~$518/mo campus room rate
- Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 68757 (2.9% cap, Newcastle)
Get the free 1-page report: rent-vs-dorm math, the 3 best nearby ZIPs by yield, and the “kiddie condo” strategy parents use.
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🏆 Where University of South Dakota Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $7,773 | $11,283 |
| Room | $4,658 | |
| Board | $4,402 | |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $24,639 | $28,149 |
Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
| Family Income | Average Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $13,687 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,400 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,608 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,259 |
| $110,001+ | $21,432 |
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from University of South Dakota's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at University of South Dakota?
How much does it cost to attend University of South Dakota?
What is the graduation rate at University of South Dakota?
Is University of South Dakota a good school?
- Outcomes (B+): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (C): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (C): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (B+): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (C): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend University of South Dakota?
Is there rental demand near University of South Dakota?
Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for University of South Dakota — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →
🎓 Similar Colleges to University of South Dakota
Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology