WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-16% vs national median548 grads tracked

Journalism at South Dakota State University

Ranked 90th of 127 bachelor's programs in Journalism by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$36,615
middle 50%: $28,045 – $44,740
Median · 5 years out
$49,630
middle 50%: $40,295 – $61,575
Median · 10 years out
$64,100
middle 50%: $49,264 – $83,294

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Journalism (bachelor's) graduates.

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

Graduates of South Dakota State University's bachelor's program in Journalism earn a median $36,615 one year after graduating, rising to $64,100 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 16% below the national median of $58,956 for this field, ranking 90th of 127 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
8.3 yrs
≈ $9,746 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Wisconsin - River Falls
$50,276 · 5 yrs out
East Carolina University
$50,267 · 5 yrs out
Lewis University
$50,227 · 5 yrs out
Texas Southern University
$50,016 · 5 yrs out
Northern Illinois University
$49,841 · 5 yrs out
Kent State University
$49,706 · 5 yrs out
University of West Georgia
$49,446 · 5 yrs out
University of Akron (The)
$49,328 · 5 yrs out
Georgia Southern University
$49,323 · 5 yrs out
Northern Arizona University
$49,292 · 5 yrs out
Eastern Illinois University
$49,171 · 5 yrs out
University of Cincinnati
$49,171 · 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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