Is University of South Dakota worth it?

The numbers behind the score

At University of South Dakota, a typical graduate carries about $22,000 in student debt and earns roughly $58,316 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $250 per month, or 5% of pre-tax income. That sits inside a borrower comfort range for many graduates.

How earnings compare to a high school diploma

Graduates earn $26,931 more than the typical working high school graduate in South Dakota ($31,385) ten years after entering this school. A federal rule finalized in July 2026 ties each undergraduate program's federal loan eligibility to a comparison like this one, with the first calculations expected in 2027.

The national figure is $31,269. The Department of Education uses it instead of the state figure when fewer than half of a school's students come from its state.

83% of former students here earned more than the typical high school graduate ten years after entry, by College Scorecard's own measure.

Context, not a federal determination. The benchmarks are the Department of Education's published thresholds (2024 notice, based on 2022 Census data); thresholds under the 2026 rule have not been released yet. The official test looks at each program's graduates four years after completion; our figure is College Scorecard's median for the whole school, ten years after entry. How this works

Program earnings vs. the federal benchmark

Median earnings of working graduates four years after finishing each undergraduate program, next to the benchmark the federal earnings test uses: the typical working high school graduate aged 25–34 in South Dakota ($31,385).

• English Language and Literature, General

  Bachelor's degree · 16 working graduates counted

  $31,155

  $230 below the benchmark

• Fine and Studio Arts

  Bachelor's degree · 22 working graduates counted

  $43,945

  $12,560 above the benchmark

• History

  Bachelor's degree · 21 working graduates counted

  $45,096

  $13,711 above the benchmark

• Special Education and Teaching

  Bachelor's degree · 22 working graduates counted

  $45,415

  $14,030 above the benchmark

• Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods

  Bachelor's degree · 59 working graduates counted

  $46,034

  $14,649 above the benchmark

• Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas

  Bachelor's degree · 38 working graduates counted

  $50,270

  $18,885 above the benchmark

• Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

  Bachelor's degree · 34 working graduates counted

  $50,306

  $18,921 above the benchmark

• Psychology, General

  Bachelor's degree · 74 working graduates counted

  $50,993

  $19,608 above the benchmark

• Communication and Media Studies

  Bachelor's degree · 73 working graduates counted

  $52,100

  $20,715 above the benchmark

• Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions

  Bachelor's degree · 62 working graduates counted

  $52,211

  $20,826 above the benchmark

46 other undergraduate programs here have no four-year earnings figure, usually because too few graduates were counted to publish one. That says nothing about how those programs do. See every program on College Scorecard

An estimate, not an official determination. Under a federal rule taking effect July 1, 2027, programs below this benchmark in official results may face limits on federal student loans; Pell Grants are not affected. The official test uses finer program categories, different graduating classes and the Department's own records; its first results are expected in 2027. Programs that train for tipped jobs, such as cosmetology and massage, won't be rated on 2025 earnings, and the Department decides which programs qualify. Earnings: College Scorecard field-of-study data (released Oct 15, 2026). Benchmark: Department of Education published thresholds (2024 notice).

Represent University of South Dakota and think a figure here is wrong? Request a correction and we'll check it against the latest College Scorecard release.

What this means for your family

University of South Dakota is a public four year school in Vermillion, SD. For many families, the key question is whether the published value here beats cheaper in state or regional alternatives once your real aid offer arrives.

Common questions about University of South Dakota

Looking at public universities options in South Dakota? See the most affordable public universities in South Dakota →

The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →