WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)-9% vs national median72 grads tracked

Natural Resources and Conservation at South Dakota State University

Ranked 26th of 32 doctoral (research) programs in Natural Resources and Conservation by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$67,042
middle 50%: $53,107 – $83,557
Median · 5 years out
$82,142
middle 50%: $70,698 – $114,831
Median · 10 years out
n/a
not enough graduates to report

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Natural Resources and Conservation (doctoral (research)) graduates.

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

Graduates of South Dakota State University's doctoral (research) program in Natural Resources and Conservation earn a median $67,042 one year after graduating, rising to $82,142 by year five. Five years out, earnings run 9% below the national median of $90,042 for this field, ranking 26th of 32 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
4.8 yrs
≈ $5,135 total interest

Same major at other universities

Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
$88,474 · 5 yrs out
University of Arizona (The)
$87,772 · 5 yrs out
Montana State University Bozeman
$86,929 · 5 yrs out
University of Georgia
$85,664 · 5 yrs out
Portland State University
$84,962 · 5 yrs out
University of Virginia
$84,761 · 5 yrs out
University of Maine
$78,529 · 5 yrs out
Purdue University
$77,093 · 5 yrs out
Texas State University
$72,585 · 5 yrs out
Texas Tech University
$69,154 · 5 yrs out
University of Missouri - Columbia
$65,194 · 5 yrs out
Colorado State University
$63,874 · 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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