CollegeCostWise

Bachelor's · Vermillion, South Dakota

Is Economics at University of South Dakota worth it?

Low confidence Low confidence: fewer than 40 graduates behind the earnings figures.

The verdict · all families, in-state, half paid with loans

Pays back in time: graduates typically recover the cost in about 3.3 years.

Earnings 1 year after graduating
Not enough graduates to report
Treasury AY2020-21, AY2021-22 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Earnings 4 years after graduating
$76,760
Treasury AY2017-2018, AY2018-2019 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
Typical federal debt at graduation
$25,000
NSLDS pooled AY2022-23, AY2023-24 cohort
Net cost to graduate, all families
$85k (likely $85k – $103k)
AcadYr 2024-25, reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26
Earnings bump, year 4
$38k a year vs high-school graduates aged 25–34 in SD
2023 ACS 5-year pooled, adjusted to 2024 dollars
Payback
3.3 years (likely 2.2–5.5)
Bump vs net cost plus loan interest
10-year net return
$107k (likely −$43k – $278k)
Today's dollars
20-year net return
$546k (likely $226k – $891k)
Today's dollars
Odds of finishing (school-wide)
60%
Fall 2019 or AcadYr 2019-20 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26

Change income, residency or loans Compare Economics at other schools

📈 Getting ready in high school

Students heading toward business & money majors like this one often take these classes. Every school offers a different mix, so check with your counselor.

AP classes

  • AP Microeconomics
  • AP Macroeconomics
  • AP Statistics
  • AP Precalculus or AP Calculus AB

IB Higher Level

  • Business Management HL
  • Economics HL

Build my roadmap 🗺️ Middle school to career, plus high schools near you that offer these classes.

Other majors at University of South Dakota

Economics at other schools in South Dakota