WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-14% vs national median32 grads tracked

Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at University of South Dakota

Ranked 136th of 160 bachelor's programs in Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$26,371
middle 50%: $19,482 – $40,342
Median · 5 years out
$53,735
middle 50%: $43,497 – $61,545
Median · 10 years out
$49,855
middle 50%: $37,316 – $64,005

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (bachelor's) graduates.

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

Graduates of University of South Dakota's bachelor's program in Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences earn a median $26,371 one year after graduating, rising to $49,855 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 14% below the national median of $62,446 for this field, ranking 136th of 160 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
9.1 yrs
≈ $10,929 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of New Orleans (The)
$54,319 · 5 yrs out
Carleton College
$54,306 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - River Falls
$54,227 · 5 yrs out
University of Northern Colorado
$54,051 · 5 yrs out
Southern Utah University
$54,051 · 5 yrs out
Sul Ross State University
$53,767 · 5 yrs out
Salem State University
$53,578 · 5 yrs out
East Carolina University
$53,545 · 5 yrs out
Missouri State University
$53,536 · 5 yrs out
SUNY Buffalo State University
$53,343 · 5 yrs out
Montana State University Bozeman
$53,174 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
$53,107 · 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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