WhatGradsMake
Master's-20% vs national median185 grads tracked

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs at South Dakota State University

Ranked 115th of 124 master's programs in Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$52,322
middle 50%: $39,836 – $72,118
Median · 5 years out
$57,669
middle 50%: $48,487 – $69,682
Median · 10 years out
$66,779
middle 50%: $58,363 – $77,146

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs (master's) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of South Dakota State University's master's program in Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs earn a median $52,322 one year after graduating, rising to $66,779 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 20% below the national median of $72,014 for this field, ranking 115th of 124 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
6.7 yrs
≈ $7,203 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Houston - Victoria
$59,848 · 5 yrs out
Regent University
$59,848 · 5 yrs out
University of Central Missouri
$59,577 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Superior
$59,253 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois at Springfield
$59,105 · 5 yrs out
Indiana State University
$58,527 · 5 yrs out
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
$57,619 · 5 yrs out
Valparaiso University
$57,372 · 5 yrs out
Norfolk State University
$57,175 · 5 yrs out
Virginia State University
$56,069 · 5 yrs out
University of Montana (The)
$54,821 · 5 yrs out
Marshall University
$53,520 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at South Dakota State University

Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$152,803 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$152,496 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Bachelor's)
$148,262 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$142,581 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$113,950 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$112,807 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$102,841 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$100,794 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,697 · 5 yrs out
Social Sciences (Doctorate)
$94,389 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$93,240 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$90,181 · 5 yrs out

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