WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-8% vs national median191 grads tracked

Political Science and Government at South Dakota State University

Ranked 174th of 322 bachelor's programs in Political Science and Government by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$34,946
middle 50%: $25,275 – $45,156
Median · 5 years out
$57,115
middle 50%: $42,336 – $72,585
Median · 10 years out
$80,673
middle 50%: $62,381 – $112,107

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Political Science and Government (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 Political Science and Government earn a median $34,946 one year after graduating, rising to $80,673 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 8% below the national median of $62,236 for this field, ranking 174th of 322 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
7.5 yrs
≈ $9,048 total interest

Same major at other universities

College of Charleston
$57,377 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina at Wilmington (The)
$57,365 · 5 yrs out
University of Northern Colorado
$57,258 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina - Charlotte
$57,182 · 5 yrs out
Montana State University Bozeman
$57,147 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater
$57,135 · 5 yrs out
Old Dominion University
$57,086 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas of the Permian Basin
$57,063 · 5 yrs out
Minnesota State University, Mankato
$56,877 · 5 yrs out
Northwest Missouri State University
$56,877 · 5 yrs out
Prairie View Agricultural & Mechanical University
$56,877 · 5 yrs out
University of Cincinnati
$56,711 · 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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