University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota · Public · 98.8% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 50/100 · Below Average Value
University of South Dakota scores 50, landing in the Below Average Value tier - a middling outcome for the state's liberal arts flagship in Vermillion. In-state tuition is just $9,432 (out-of-state $12,942), but net price runs $19,858 including living costs, putting total four-year cost at about $79,432. Median earnings six years after entry are $37,100 climbing to $51,926 by year ten, producing a 21.3% earnings premium (sub-score 45) and a 13-year payback period. Completion rate of 59.9% (sub-score 60) is solid by rural-public standards. The genuine strength is the 82.2% three-year repayment rate (sub-score 77), among the better numbers in the dataset, indicating graduates land in stable Midwest middle-class jobs. Median debt is $23,592 with a 0.636 debt-to-earnings ratio (sub-score 43). USD's nursing and dental support programs are strong, and accounting, finance, and economics produce defensible B and C+ outcomes. The drag comes from a long tail of humanities and arts programs (English, History, Fine Arts) that produce weak earnings against the school's modest cost.
University of South Dakota
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $9,432/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $12,942/yr |
| Average net price | $19,858/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $79,432 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $51,926 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $37,100 |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,592 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $250 |
| Estimated payback period | 13 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 59.9% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 5,439 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of South Dakota is $9,432/year ($12,942/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $19,858/year, or roughly $79,432 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $14,921/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $22,193/year.
The median graduate leaves with $23,592 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $250 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $51,926 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.64 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,921 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,942 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,540 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,202 |
| $110,001+ | $22,193 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning $0-30,000 pay $14,921 net per year (about $59,684 over four years). That is reasonable for a flagship and is achievable with Pell plus state aid. The relatively low Pell rate of 18.7% indicates the school does not heavily attract this band; the math still works for those who do enroll.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families ($48,001-110,000) pay $18,540-$21,202 net per year, putting four-year cost at $74,000-$85,000. Against $37,100 six-year earnings, the math is tight but workable within the 13-year payback period. This is the modal USD student.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Households above $110,000 pay $22,193 per year ($88,772 over four years). Aid scaling between top and bottom brackets is only about $7,000/year - relatively flat. At the top end, USD approaches the price of comparable regional alternatives without dramatically stronger earnings outcomes.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of South Dakota with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $73,025 | B |
| Psychology | $50,993 | D |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $64,890 | C+ |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $61,518 | C |
| Teacher Education | $46,034 | C |
| Biology | $58,099 | D |
| Accounting | $71,179 | C+ |
| Finance and Financial Management | $70,100 | C+ |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $58,046 | C |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $52,211 | C |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Nursing is the largest program at 162 graduates with $71,758 first-year earnings, $73,025 by year four (unusually flat curve), $28,644 of debt, and a 0.399 debt-to-earnings ratio for a B grade. These are strong RN outcomes that anchor USD's value proposition; the flat year-one to year-four curve suggests most graduates work in South Dakota or rural Midwest hospitals where wages don't ramp as steeply as in metro markets.
Psychology
Psychology graduates 82 students with $31,696 first-year earnings and $50,993 by year four. Debt is $24,593 and debt-to-earnings is 0.776 for a D grade. Without graduate continuation, the bachelor's in psychology produces structurally weak earnings, common at most schools and not unique to USD.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration graduates 80 students with $47,107 first-year and $64,890 four-year earnings. Debt of $22,950 and debt-to-earnings of 0.487 yield a C+ grade. Solid regional business outcomes with a defensible debt position; this is one of the cleaner ROI cases at USD.
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
Allied Health graduates 77 students with $44,109 first-year and $61,518 four-year earnings. Debt is $27,000 and debt-to-earnings is 0.612 for a C grade. This is a feeder into USD's strong health pipeline but with weaker outcomes than the focused RN or dental support tracks.
Teacher Education
Teacher Education graduates 75 students earning $43,790 in year one and $46,034 by year four - the classic flat teacher earnings curve. Debt of $27,000 and debt-to-earnings of 0.617 yield a C grade. The credential supports stable South Dakota school district employment but produces minimal earnings growth.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 77.7% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 82.2% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 74.5% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 77.0% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 98.8% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 595-695 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 530-620 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 19-25 |
| Enrollment | 5,439 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 18.7% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $9,264 |
USD admits 98.8% of applicants - effectively open admission. SAT mid-ranges are 595-695 (math) and 530-620 (reading) and ACT composite mid-range is 19-25. The very high math SAT 25th percentile is notable and suggests strong self-selection by college-ready South Dakota students despite the open-door policy. The 60% completion rate is well above what you would predict from a 99% admit rate, indicating either substantial self-screening or solid retention work.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
USD's peer set (Black Hills State, Dakota State, Washburn, UMass Global, West Texas A&M) is reasonable for a small-flagship comparison. Dakota State is the closest in-state comp with a stronger tech focus and typically posts comparable ROI. Black Hills State is a smaller regional comp. Washburn (Kansas) and West Texas A&M are good regional flagship peers with similar cost and earnings profiles. UMass Global is an online adult-learner school and an awkward fit. USD's 50 score is mid-pack and reflects rural-Midwest labor-market earnings constraints more than program quality.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Dakota (this school) | 50 | $19,858 | $51,926 |
| University of Massachusetts Global | 52 | $32,654 | $65,703 |
| Washburn University | 51 | $15,280 | $49,774 |
| West Texas A & M University | 49 | $19,487 | $50,741 |
| Dakota State University | 43 | $21,057 | $50,970 |
| Black Hills State University | 31 | $15,911 | $46,674 |
Who Thrives Here
Enrollment is 5,439 with an 18.7% Pell rate - relatively low for a regional public, indicating a middle-class South Dakota student body. USD works well for in-state students entering its nursing (162 graduates) and dental support pipelines, where outcomes are strong. It also works for accounting and finance students entering the regional financial-services labor market. It works less well for students drawn to its liberal arts identity (English, History, Fine Arts), where the earnings ceiling pulls ROI to D and F grades.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for University of South Dakota is mixed. At $19,858 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $51,926 ten years after entry - a payback period of 13 years. That's below the average return for four-year institutions, and prospective students should carefully consider whether the investment aligns with their financial goals.
Key strengths include high loan repayment success. However, the data also shows high debt relative to what graduates earn and a long payback period.
Median debt of $23,592 against $51,926 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.