University of South Dakota
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$37,728
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$11,290/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
3.3 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
498%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The University of South Dakota has a high acceptance rate of 99% and a graduation rate of 59.4%. The median debt for graduates is $23,592, and 41.8% of students receive financial aid. In-state tuition costs $9,432.
One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $49,835. Five years after graduation, the median salary is $46,290, and ten years after graduation, the median salary is $51,926.
Based on the provided data, the debt-to-income ratio for graduates is approximately 0.47 based on the one-year earnings. The break-even point, calculated by dividing the median debt by the difference between the one-year earnings and the tuition cost, is approximately 0.6 years.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$9,432
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,592
Median Earnings (5yr)
$46,290
Graduation Rate
59%
Receive Financial Aid
42%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $37,728 | $67,147 | 1604% |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | $37,728 | $48,244 | 602% |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | $37,728 | $71,614 | 1841% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | $37,728 | $0 | N/A |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | $37,728 | $41,250 | 231% |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | $37,728 | $71,353 | 1827% |
| Biology, General. | $37,728 | $54,135 | 914% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $37,728 | $53,798 | 897% |
| Medicine. | $37,728 | $122,301 | 4528% |
| Communication and Media Studies. | $37,728 | $45,965 | 481% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $37,728 | $95,269 | 3095% |
| Psychology, General. | $37,728 | $47,040 | 538% |
Peer Comparison
498%
20yr ROI
406%
20yr ROI
0%
20yr ROI
531%
20yr ROI
548%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.