Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions at University of South Dakota

A lab science degree that costs roughly $26,000 in debt against estimated first-year earnings near $65,000 suggests solid financial footing—if the estimates hold. These figures come from comparable programs nationwide since USD's graduate sample is too small for the Department of Education to publish actual outcomes. The 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio falls comfortably in manageable territory, meaning graduates would typically devote less than half their first year's salary to total debt.

What's worth noting is that South Dakota State's lab science program—the only in-state peer with reported data—shows higher earnings at $69,255, suggesting USD's graduates might actually do better than national averages predict. South Dakota's healthcare labor market appears stronger than typical, with the state median for these programs running about $4,300 above what USD students might expect based on national patterns. Clinical lab positions tend to offer consistent entry-level salaries regardless of where you trained, though local hospital networks and regional healthcare systems drive some variation.

The challenge is that without actual data from USD's program, you're making an educated guess rather than an informed decision. If your student is drawn to laboratory medicine and wants to stay in the region, the estimated numbers point toward a reasonable investment. But recognize you're operating on probabilities from peer programs rather than track record from this specific degree.