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Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions at University of South Dakota

Vermillion, SD · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $41,191/yr (6% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (30% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (200,600 openings/yr)

ROI 12.6x earnings multiple (9.2x out-of-state)

Ranked #18 of 48 Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$474K	$475K	$455K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.6x	12.6x	12.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	9.2x	9.2x	8.8x
Probability of Field Employment	61%	60%	48%
DegreeOutlook Score	52	52	55

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$37,728

Out-of-state: $51,768 (9.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$76,620

-103% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$25,850

7.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$45,559

11% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $41,191 per year, Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions graduates from University of South Dakota earn slightly above the $38,856 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions's typical career paths, with 30% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 4% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $25,850 represents roughly 8 months of the $41,191 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #18 of 48 Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions programs, University of South Dakota scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $45,559 are relatively flat compared to the $41,191 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About University of South Dakota

With 99% of applicants admitted, University of South Dakota prioritizes broad access, serving 5,239 students in Vermillion, SD.

See all programs and financial aid at University of South Dakota →

Top Career Paths

Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620/yr

Genetic counselors $98,910/yr

Clinical and counseling psychologists $95,830/yr

View all 17 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of South Dakota

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions at University of South Dakota?

A score of 52/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions field.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →