Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $48,060 at University of South Dakota come in 6% above the national median of $45,450 for Marketing programs.
With a 15.3x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 11% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Marketing career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
With first-year pay of $48,060 far exceeding the $23,488 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
University of South Dakota ranks #88 among 502 Marketing programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
A 34% earnings increase from $48,060 to $64,279 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.