Political Science and Government at University of South Dakota

USD's political science program shows an unusually strong earnings trajectory that defies the typical liberal arts pattern. While graduates start below both state and national medians at $32,000, they see 39% earnings growth by year four—reaching $44,330 and pulling ahead of typical outcomes for this major. That's $10,000 more than the national median and meaningfully higher than SDSU's similar program at $34,337.

The debt picture adds to the appeal: at $26,000, it's actually slightly above the national median but manageable given the earnings acceleration. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.81 means graduates owe less than one year's starting salary, a reasonable position that improves rapidly as income grows. Among South Dakota's political science programs, this sits at the 40th percentile—middle of the pack locally but with notably better growth potential than cheaper alternatives.

The key question is whether your student plans to stay in South Dakota or the region. If they're pursuing state government, non-profit work, or business careers in-state, this program's trajectory makes sense financially. The accessible admission (99% acceptance rate) means your child will likely get in, and the moderate debt load won't derail their early career—especially if those year-four earnings continue climbing into years five and beyond.