University of South Dakota
Sd · Public · 100% graduation rate
University of South Dakota is a public university in Sd with a 100% graduation rate. We track 20 majors with debt-to-earnings ROI analysis. The highest-ROI major is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (grade B), with median debt of $27K and year-5 earnings of $86K. Data comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and NCES IPEDS.
ROI by Major
Debt and earnings data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI grades compare median student debt at graduation to earnings 1 and 5 years after completion, adjusted for NCES IPEDS graduation rates.
| Major | Median Debt | Year 1 Earnings | Year 5 Earnings | ROI Grade | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $27K | $62K | $86K | B | BUY |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $25K | $65K | $89K | B | BUY |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences | $27K | $62K | $86K | B | BUY |
| Accounting and Related Services | $25K | $65K | $89K | B | BUY |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $25K | $65K | $89K | B | BUY |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $27K | $62K | $86K | B | BUY |
| Marketing | $25K | $65K | $89K | B | BUY |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $27K | $62K | $86K | B | BUY |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $27K | $62K | $86K | B | BUY |
| Political Science and Government | $25K | $58K | $78K | B | BUY |
| Economics | $25K | $58K | $78K | B | BUY |
| Biology | $25K | $55K | $74K | B | BUY |
| Psychology | $25K | $48K | $65K | B | BUY |
| Communication and Media Studies | $25K | $52K | $69K | B | BUY |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $25K | $50K | $67K | B | BUY |
| English Language and Literature | $26K | $48K | $64K | B | BUY |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $25K | $42K | $58K | C | BUY |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $25K | $45K | $61K | C | BUY |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $25K | $45K | $60K | C | BUY |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $26K | $42K | $57K | C | BUY |
Similar Schools in Sd
How University of South Dakota Compares
University of South Dakota graduates carry a median debt of $26K across tracked majors, which is $282 less than the public universities average of $26K. Year-1 earnings average $56K, about $3K below peers of the same type. Within Sd, the per-major debt average is $24K, so this school sits $1K above the state median. Its composite ROI score of 72 is 0 points above the public universities baseline (72). Graduation rate of 100% is a primary ROI driver, since it determines how many students actually reach the earnings levels listed. Across the full site (2202 schools), the debt average is $26K.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your major. The highest-ROI major at University of South Dakota earns a grade of B, with median debt of $27K and year-5 earnings of $86K. Compare debt-to-earnings ratios across majors before deciding.
University of South Dakota has a 100% graduation rate. A higher graduation rate generally correlates with better student support and outcomes, which can impact your return on investment.
Median debt varies significantly by major at University of South Dakota. For example, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates have median debt of $27K. Review the ROI by Major table above for a full breakdown.
The top-earning major is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing with median year-5 earnings of $86K. We rank each major by its debt-to-earnings ROI score to help you compare options.
Explore College ROI Data
ROI scores are calculated by comparing median debt at graduation to median earnings 1 and 5 years after completion, weighted by graduation rate. Grades range from A (strong return) to F (poor return).