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 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.
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 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.
Latest FE earnings field: 10-year
Lower quartile, 10-year field
How graduate earnings grow across the currently available FE horizons.
Financial justification for the investment.
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 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.
Program mix and student pathways explain much of the earnings story.
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.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
Upper quartile, 10-year field
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 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.
