Political Science and Government at South Dakota State University

South Dakota State's political science program shows an unusual earnings trajectory that warrants attention, though the small sample size (fewer than 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly with more data. The starting salary of $34,337 is right at the state median but slightly below the national average. What's striking is the 67% earnings jump by year four—pushing graduates to $57,402, well above both state and national benchmarks. This suggests graduates who stick with policy-related careers, perhaps in state government or regional nonprofits, see substantial income growth.

The $25,000 debt load is reasonable, creating a manageable 0.73 debt-to-earnings ratio in year one. Among South Dakota's seven political science programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile—competitive but not top-tier. Augustana graduates earn notably more ($46,646), though they may face higher costs at a private institution.

The caveat here matters: with such a small sample, a few graduates in high-paying positions could skew the four-year number upward. This program might be worth it for students committed to careers in politics or public administration where earnings compound with experience, but verify these outcomes persist as more data becomes available. The debt is manageable enough that even if earnings don't reach the higher figure, graduates aren't trapped by their loans.