WhatGradsMake
Master's-11% vs national median58 grads tracked

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs at University of South Dakota

Ranked 91st of 124 master's programs in Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$44,669
middle 50%: $27,044 – $61,036
Median · 5 years out
$64,402
middle 50%: $45,751 – $83,557
Median · 10 years out
n/a
not enough graduates to report

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs (master's) graduates.

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

Graduates of University of South Dakota's master's program in Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs earn a median $44,669 one year after graduating, rising to $64,402 by year five. Five years out, earnings run 11% below the national median of $72,014 for this field, ranking 91st of 124 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
6.6 yrs
≈ $7,518 total interest

Same major at other universities

Purdue University Northwest
$65,141 · 5 yrs out
Northern Illinois University
$64,741 · 5 yrs out
Ball State University
$64,718 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University
$64,718 · 5 yrs out
University of Alabama at Birmingham
$64,402 · 5 yrs out
East Carolina University
$64,402 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
$64,243 · 5 yrs out
Western Illinois University
$63,451 · 5 yrs out
University of Alabama
$63,234 · 5 yrs out
Stephen F Austin State University
$63,029 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Chicago
$62,818 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater
$62,818 · 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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