WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-1% vs national median707 grads tracked

Social Sciences at University of South Dakota

Ranked 119th of 387 bachelor's programs in Social Sciences by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$38,286
middle 50%: $27,377 – $51,605
Median · 5 years out
$59,179
middle 50%: $43,067 – $76,152
Median · 10 years out
$74,258
middle 50%: $54,404 – $107,010

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Social Sciences (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 Social Sciences earn a median $38,286 one year after graduating, rising to $74,258 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 1% below the national median of $59,812 for this field, ranking 119th of 387 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
7.3 yrs
≈ $8,526 total interest

Same major at other universities

SUNY Cortland
$59,643 · 5 yrs out
Colorado State University
$59,509 · 5 yrs out
Christopher Newport University
$59,474 · 5 yrs out
Tarleton State University
$59,433 · 5 yrs out
SUNY Old Westbury
$59,310 · 5 yrs out
Brigham Young University - Idaho
$59,253 · 5 yrs out
CUNY York College
$59,176 · 5 yrs out
Hampton University
$59,127 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
$59,055 · 5 yrs out
Bridgewater State University
$59,053 · 5 yrs out
Liberty University
$59,050 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - East
$58,998 · 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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