Compare 6 Nursing Science. programs in South Dakota. Average earnings: $65,722.
With top graduates earning $74,077, Nursing Science stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $8K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Dakota Wesleyan University's Nursing Science program leads with graduates earning $74,077, well above the state average of $65,722. Following closely, Augustana University delivers $69,254 while the University of South Dakota produces $67,147—demonstrating that program-specific factors drive outcomes across different institutional types.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Dakota Wesleyan graduates borrow $27,000 and face just a 7.2% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, University of South Dakota leads with a 12.6% family burden—proof that the best choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Dakota Wesleyan UniversityPrivate | $74,077 | 61 | $27,000 | Excellent | $18,191 | Manageable |
| #2 | Augustana UniversityPrivate | $69,254 | 80 | $25,000 | Excellent | $23,546 | Manageable |
| #3 | $67,147 | 238 | $23,592 | Excellent | $15,000 | Manageable | |
| #4 | $64,471 | 313 | $23,250 | Excellent | $18,000 | Manageable | |
| #5 | Mount Marty UniversityPrivate | $59,711 | 13 | $26,396 | Good | $22,217 | Challenging |
| #6 | University Of Sioux FallsPrivate | $59,670 | 70 | $23,249 | Good | $18,000 | Manageable |
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 →
