WhatGradsMake
Master's-32% vs national median33 grads tracked

Physical Sciences at University of South Dakota

Ranked 130th of 132 master's programs in Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$63,610
middle 50%: $38,279 – $86,507
Median · 5 years out
$56,312
middle 50%: $43,858 – $75,158
Median · 10 years out
$84,962
middle 50%: $61,332 – $110,004

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Physical Sciences (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 Physical Sciences earn a median $63,610 one year after graduating, rising to $84,962 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 32% below the national median of $83,137 for this field, ranking 130th of 132 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 yrs
≈ $6,234 total interest

Same major at other universities

Indiana State University
$63,451 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
$61,827 · 5 yrs out
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
$61,332 · 5 yrs out
Marshall University
$60,076 · 5 yrs out
Western Carolina University
$59,848 · 5 yrs out
University of Northern Colorado
$58,734 · 5 yrs out
Sam Houston State University
$55,464 · 5 yrs out
Hampton University
$55,464 · 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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