WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-16% vs national median81 grads tracked

Physical Sciences at South Dakota State University

Ranked 299th of 321 bachelor's programs in Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$39,139
middle 50%: $26,411 – $50,601
Median · 5 years out
$55,713
middle 50%: $39,380 – $69,727
Median · 10 years out
$79,787
middle 50%: $62,372 – $108,882

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Physical Sciences (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 Physical Sciences earn a median $39,139 one year after graduating, rising to $79,787 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 16% below the national median of $66,057 for this field, ranking 299th of 321 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
7.3 yrs
≈ $8,694 total interest

Same major at other universities

Grambling State University
$56,106 · 5 yrs out
Salem State University
$56,106 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
$56,082 · 5 yrs out
University of Lynchburg
$56,069 · 5 yrs out
Minnesota State University Moorhead
$55,859 · 5 yrs out
Western Carolina University
$55,735 · 5 yrs out
Bowling Green State University
$55,497 · 5 yrs out
Montana State University Bozeman
$55,411 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina Asheville
$55,181 · 5 yrs out
Northwest Missouri State University
$54,993 · 5 yrs out
Montana Technological University
$54,993 · 5 yrs out
Adams State University
$54,404 · 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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