Best colleges for Communication and Media Studies in South Dakota
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of South Dakota, South Dakota State University and Black Hills State University award the most Communication and Media Studies degrees and certificates in South Dakota: 35, 33 and 14 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 6 South Dakota colleges offer Communication and Media Studies and award 101 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Communication and Media Studies program focuses on the processes of human communication and behavior, exploring how individuals and groups exchange ideas and information across various media. This program is designed for students…
Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota State University Brookings Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,173 | 33 | 62% | — | $25,500 |
| 2 | University of South Dakota Vermillion Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,792 | 35 | 60% | — | $26,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Communication and Media Studies degrees in South Dakota
Top 6 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of South Dakota Vermillion Public | 35 | $35,792 |
| 2 | South Dakota State University Brookings Public | 33 | $39,173 |
| 3 | Black Hills State University Spearfish Public | 14 | Not reported |
| 4 | University of Sioux Falls Sioux Falls Private not-for-profit | 14 | Not reported |
| 5 | Augustana University Sioux Falls Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 6 | Dakota Wesleyan University Mitchell Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys (SOC 27-3011).
Top skills
What Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys earn in South Dakota
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Communication and Media Studies programs in South Dakota.
Which South Dakota colleges award the most Communication and Media Studies degrees?+
University of South Dakota (35 graduates a year), South Dakota State University (33 graduates a year) and Black Hills State University (14 graduates a year) award the most Communication and Media Studies degrees and certificates in South Dakota, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 6 South Dakota colleges offer Communication and Media Studies.
Which Communication and Media Studies program in South Dakota has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, South Dakota State University tops the list at $39,173. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys earn in South Dakota?+
The average annual wage for Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys in South Dakota is $41,920 (median $40,630), across about 230 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Communication and Media Studies program?+
The Communication and Media Studies program focuses on the processes of human communication and behavior, exploring how individuals and groups exchange ideas and information across various media. This program is designed for students…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop active listening, speaking, writing, reading comprehension, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys?+
The national job outlook is about +4.8% growth with around 27,600 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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