Bachelor's-13% vs national median177 grads tracked
Economics at University of South Dakota
Ranked 143rd of 225 bachelor's programs in Economics by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$52,107
middle 50%: $37,385 – $65,759
Median · 5 years out
$69,154
middle 50%: $55,699 – $87,276
Median · 10 years out
$108,603
middle 50%: $82,014 – $144,040
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Economics (bachelor's) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Economics graduates from the University of South Dakota earn a median of $52k in their first year. Mid-career earnings rise to $69k, eventually reaching $109k after ten years.
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
5.8 yrs
≈ $6,569 total interest
Same major at other universities
Monmouth College
$69,841 · 5 yrs out
Louisiana State University & Agricultural & Mechanical College
$69,644 · 5 yrs out
Portland State University
$69,221 · 5 yrs out
Salem State University
$69,154 · 5 yrs out
Bemidji State University
$69,154 · 5 yrs out
Youngstown State University
$69,154 · 5 yrs out
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
$68,957 · 5 yrs out
Winona State University
$68,802 · 5 yrs out
Metropolitan State University
$68,758 · 5 yrs out
Wofford College
$68,702 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Chicago
$68,695 · 5 yrs out
Tarleton State University
$68,626 · 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