Bachelor's-11% vs national median889 grads tracked
Communication and Media Studies at University of South Dakota
Ranked 183rd of 307 bachelor's programs in Communication and Media Studies by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$37,045
middle 50%: $27,826 – $45,663
Median · 5 years out
$51,769
middle 50%: $40,531 – $65,919
Median · 10 years out
$63,775
middle 50%: $47,431 – $87,162
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Communication and Media Studies (bachelor's) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Media Studies graduates at the University of South Dakota earn a median of $37k in year one. Pay increases to $52k by year five and $64k 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
8.1 yrs
≈ $9,451 total interest
Same major at other universities
Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
$52,190 · 5 yrs out
Liberty University
$52,059 · 5 yrs out
Tarleton State University
$52,037 · 5 yrs out
Missouri Western State University
$51,828 · 5 yrs out
Pennsylvania State University (The) - Beaver
$51,789 · 5 yrs out
SUNY College at Brockport
$51,783 · 5 yrs out
University of Central Missouri
$51,642 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M International University
$51,562 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
$51,510 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Parkside
$51,443 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
$51,438 · 5 yrs out
Valdosta State University
$51,418 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at University of South Dakota
Medicine (Doctorate)
$232,751 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$136,818 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's)
$116,358 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$107,201 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$95,450 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$95,189 · 5 yrs out
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctorate)
$89,791 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$89,516 · 5 yrs out
Public Administration and Social Service Professions (Master's)
$87,051 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$83,134 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$83,134 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's)
$77,249 · 5 yrs out
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