Master's-7% vs national median156 grads tracked
Natural Resources and Conservation at South Dakota State University
Ranked 54th of 73 master's programs in Natural Resources and Conservation by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$49,910
middle 50%: $41,591 – $57,090
Median · 5 years out
$65,035
middle 50%: $55,520 – $76,903
Median · 10 years out
$74,805
middle 50%: $64,652 – $91,014
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Natural Resources and Conservation (master's) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Natural resources master's graduates earn a $50k median in year one. Salaries rise to $65k by year five and $75k by year ten.
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
6.3 yrs
≈ $6,980 total interest
Same major at other universities
Clemson University
$66,486 · 5 yrs out
University of Oregon
$66,382 · 5 yrs out
Colorado State University
$65,986 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
$65,986 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Madison
$65,892 · 5 yrs out
Texas Tech University
$65,255 · 5 yrs out
Texas A & M University at Galveston
$64,930 · 5 yrs out
Northern Arizona University
$64,884 · 5 yrs out
Montana State University Bozeman
$64,190 · 5 yrs out
West Virginia University
$63,959 · 5 yrs out
Columbus State University
$63,874 · 5 yrs out
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
$63,377 · 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
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
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$90,181 · 5 yrs out
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's)
$87,405 · 5 yrs out
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