Compare 9 Risk Management. programs in South Dakota. Average earnings: $48,450.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Risk Management tells a different story. Across 9 programs, earnings range from $35,416 to $59,618—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
South Dakota State University's Risk Management program leads with graduates earning $59,618, well above the $48,450 average. But the real insight lies in the competition: Augustana University follows closely at $59,045, while University of South Dakota delivers $53,798—proving that program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. South Dakota State graduates borrow $23,250 and face just an 8.6% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.39.
Highest program earnings: $59,618
Strong outcomes with 99% acceptance
8.6% payment burden | Good
16.3% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $59,618 | 6 | $23,250 | Good | $18,000 | Manageable | |
| #2 | Augustana UniversityPrivate | $59,045 | 57 | $25,000 | Good | $23,546 | Challenging |
| #3 | $53,798 | 71 | $23,592 | Good | $15,000 | Manageable | |
| #4 | University Of Sioux FallsPrivate | $49,565 | 56 | $23,249 | Good | $18,000 | Challenging |
| #5 | $48,645 | 40 | $22,320 | Good | $12,500 | Challenging | |
| #6 | Dakota State UniversityPublic | $46,570 | 16 | $23,500 | Manageable | $15,085 | Challenging |
| #7 | $44,794 | 83 | $26,000 | Manageable | $11,908 | Challenging | |
| #8 | Mount Marty UniversityPrivate | $38,596 | 18 | $26,396 | Challenging | $22,217 | High |
| #9 | Dakota Wesleyan UniversityPrivate | $35,416 | 20 | $27,000 | High | $18,191 | 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 →
