Compare 7 Biology, General. programs in South Dakota. Average earnings: $43,526.
The highest-earning Biology, General program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $30K earnings gap across 7 programs in South Dakota, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Northern State University's Biology program leads with graduates earning $55,785, well above the state average of $43,526. University of South Dakota follows at $54,135, while Augustana University reaches $50,764—demonstrating that regional publics compete effectively with private institutions in producing successful biology graduates.
Highest program earnings: $55,785
Strong outcomes with 92.8% acceptance
9.2% payment burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
15.1% family burden | Manageable - payment 12-18% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $55,785 | 23 | $22,320 | Good | $12,500 | Manageable | |
| #2 | $54,135 | 72 | $23,592 | Good | $15,000 | Manageable | |
| #3 | Augustana UniversityPrivate | $50,764 | 50 | $25,000 | Manageable | $23,546 | High |
| #4 | University Of Sioux FallsPrivate | $46,229 | 15 | $23,249 | Manageable | $18,000 | High |
| #5 | $43,780 | 77 | $23,250 | Manageable | $18,000 | High | |
| #6 | Dakota Wesleyan UniversityPrivate | $28,019 | 8 | $27,000 | High | $18,191 | High |
| #7 | $25,967 | 16 | $26,000 | High | $11,908 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
