WhatGradsMake
Associate-12% vs national median3,181 grads tracked

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at University of South Dakota

Ranked 373rd of 425 associate programs in Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$58,105
middle 50%: $49,346 – $65,826
Median · 5 years out
$65,940
middle 50%: $54,591 – $77,663
Median · 10 years out
$76,122
middle 50%: $60,845 – $91,216

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (associate) graduates.

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

Nursing graduates from the University of South Dakota earn a median $58k in their first year. After five years, median pay reaches $66k, and $76k 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
5.8 yrs
≈ $6,249 total interest

Same major at other universities

State Fair Community College
$66,153 · 5 yrs out
Terra State Community College
$66,080 · 5 yrs out
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana - Region 2
$66,058 · 5 yrs out
East Central College
$66,034 · 5 yrs out
Moberly Area Community College
$65,986 · 5 yrs out
Southeastern Community College
$65,940 · 5 yrs out
Jefferson College
$65,815 · 5 yrs out
North Iowa Area Community College
$65,782 · 5 yrs out
Northeastern Oklahoma A & M College
$65,759 · 5 yrs out
University of Maine - Augusta
$65,715 · 5 yrs out
Mountain Gateway Community College
$65,688 · 5 yrs out
Southern State Community College
$65,566 · 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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