Health and Medical Administrative Services at Dakota State University

Dakota State's healthcare administration bachelor's typically produces estimated first-year earnings around $44,345—putting graduates right at the national median for this field. The estimated debt load of $26,592 comes in well below both the national median ($30,998) and especially the South Dakota median ($52,058), creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60. By year four, earnings climb to over $50,000, suggesting steady early-career progression in a field where administrative roles often reward experience.

What works in this program's favor is the relatively controlled debt burden combined with field-typical earnings. Healthcare administration is a stable, growing sector where bachelor's-level positions exist across hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, and specialty practices. The estimated figures come from peer programs nationally and at similar institutions, so there's inherent uncertainty about Dakota State's specific outcomes, but the fundamentals align with what healthcare administration programs generally deliver.

The practical question is whether this represents good value when nearby National American University-Rapid City reports actual earnings of $45,392—essentially identical to these estimates. If your child is committed to healthcare administration and prefers Dakota State's environment (it's a small public tech-focused university), the estimated debt burden makes this workable. Just recognize you're betting on estimates rather than demonstrated outcomes for this specific program.