Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks University of South Dakota #714 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $7,127 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of South Dakota in the 81.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of South Dakota #617 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks University of South Dakota #714 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 51.2 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public research university (Carnegie R2) in Vermillion, South Dakota, University of South Dakota enrolls roughly 5,439 undergraduates. Retention is 79.3% and the six-year graduation rate is 59.9%, reflecting solid progress toward degree completion. Where University of South Dakota performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks University of South Dakota #451 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 69.6 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $62,334, placing University of South Dakota in the 57.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $7,127 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of South Dakota in the 81.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This strength reflects the university's concentration in health-related fields, where demand and compensation remain robust across the region and beyond. Access and affordability anchor the composite. University of South Dakota enrolls 18.7% Pell-eligible students and 24.3% first-generation undergraduates, positioning the institution as a broad-access public university. Azimuth ranks University of South Dakota in the 16.7 percentile for access and the 56.7 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Mobility outcomes sit in the 52.5 percentile, reflecting how consistently low-income and first-generation graduates convert enrollment into upward economic progress. For many families in the Upper Midwest seeking strong earnings outcomes paired with accessible pricing, University of South Dakota delivers a reliable public-university value proposition.
University of South Dakota's published cost of attendance is $24,422. Need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $14,921, middle-income families pay around $18,540, and higher-income families pay approximately $22,193. Azimuth ranks University of South Dakota #617 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. The university's financial aid structure combines federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs to close the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. Most students qualify for some form of need-based aid, and the relatively modest sticker price at a public regional university means that net prices remain manageable across income levels compared with many private institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,592, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $15,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $62,334, median federal debt of $23,592 projects to a monthly payment of about $267 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
University of South Dakota is a strong fit for students interested in health professions who want a public university experience in SD, with outcomes that consistently outperform expectations for similar students at comparable institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $62,334, placing University of South Dakota in the 57.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $7,127 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the university in the 81.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university serves a broad cross-section of students — 18.7% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 24.3% are first-generation — while maintaining strong outcomes for these groups. Low-income graduates achieve earnings in the 79.2 percentile nationally on a historical 10-year Scorecard measure, demonstrating meaningful upward mobility. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program mix is concentrated in Health (19% of graduates), and the rural location may not suit students seeking urban opportunities. Those whose interests align with health professions will find strong outcomes in a lower-cost setting.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the University Of South Dakota hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Health and Medical Administrative Services
19 graduates
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
163 graduates
Economics
14 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
55 graduates
Finance and Financial Management Services
46 graduates
University of South Dakota's program mix is anchored in health sciences and professional fields, reflecting the institution's regional mission as a comprehensive public university serving the Upper Midwest. Nursing is the largest program with 163 graduates, followed by Teacher Education, Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General, Business Administration, and Biology, General.
The dominant program family—Health—accounts for a substantial share of degrees, with Business representing 19% of graduates and Education representing 11%. The institution's strongest earnings outcomes cluster in health and applied professional fields.
Nursing leads with median 4-year earnings of $73,025, followed by Accounting at $71,179 and Business Administration at $64,890. Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General and Biology, General round out the highest-earning programs, with graduates earning $61,518 and $58,099 respectively.
With 0 programs meeting Azimuth's ranking threshold among nonprofit four-year institutions and 1,285 students served annually, the university maintains scale in fields where four-year earnings reflect direct workforce pathways.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of South Dakota's published cost of attendance is $24,422. Need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $14,921, middle-income families pay around $18,540, and higher-income families pay approximately $22,193.
Azimuth ranks University of South Dakota #617 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
The university's financial aid structure combines federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs to close the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. Most students qualify for some form of need-based aid, and the relatively modest sticker price at a public regional university means that net prices remain manageable across income levels compared with many private institutions.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,592, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $15,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $62,334, median federal debt of $23,592 projects to a monthly payment of about $267 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of University of South Dakota earn median 4-year earnings of $62,334, placing University of South Dakota in the 57.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $7,127 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of South Dakota in the 81.0 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks University of South Dakota #451 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects University of South Dakota's concentration in health-related fields.
Nursing is the largest program with 163 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $73,025, at 0.8x the national benchmark for the field. The Teacher Education program graduates 100 students earning $46,034, and Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General program graduates 78 students earning $61,518.
Business Administration and Biology, General round out the top five, with 75 and 69 graduates respectively earning $64,890 and $58,099. This program mix — anchored in health professions and related support services — aligns with strong regional labor-market demand and contributes to University of South Dakota's solid long-term financial outcomes for graduates.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Puerto Rico At Ponce Similar quality tier (#19117 ranked) | PR | 52% | $31,394 | #19117 | Compare |
Missouri Southern State University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#19128 ranked) | MO | 97% | $42,620 | #19128 | Compare |
Western Oregon University Similar quality tier (#19135 ranked) | OR | 98% | $51,815 | #19135 | Compare |
Fairmont State University Similar quality tier (#19108 ranked) | WV | 99% | $46,857 | #19108 | Compare |
The University Of Tennessee-Martin Similar quality tier (#19141 ranked) | TN | 88% | $44,213 | #19141 | Compare |
