Best colleges for Political Science and Government in South Dakota
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of South Dakota, South Dakota State University and Augustana University award the most Political Science and Government degrees in South Dakota: 23, 20 and 14 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 5 South Dakota colleges offer Political Science and Government and award 62 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Political Science and Government program offers students an in-depth understanding of political systems, behavior, and institutions. This program is designed for individuals interested in exploring the complexities of governance,…
Top 3 bachelor's programs, 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 | $34,337 | 20 | 62% | — | $25,000 |
| 2 | University of South Dakota Vermillion Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,973 | 23 | 60% | — | $26,000 |
| 3 | Augustana University Sioux Falls Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $46,646 | 14 | 73% | $23,011 | $27,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Political Science and Government degrees in South Dakota
Top 5 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, 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 | 23 | $31,973 |
| 2 | South Dakota State University Brookings Public | 20 | $34,337 |
| 3 | Augustana University Sioux Falls Private not-for-profit | 14 | $46,646 |
| 4 | Black Hills State University Spearfish Public | 4 | Not reported |
| 5 | Northern State University Aberdeen Public | 1 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Political Scientists (SOC 19-3094).
Top skills
What Political Scientists earn in South Dakota
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Political Science and Government programs in South Dakota.
Which South Dakota colleges award the most Political Science and Government degrees?+
University of South Dakota (23 graduates a year), South Dakota State University (20 graduates a year) and Augustana University (14 graduates a year) award the most Political Science and Government degrees in South Dakota, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 5 South Dakota colleges offer Political Science and Government.
Which Political Science and Government 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 $34,337. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
What is the focus of the Political Science and Government program?+
The Political Science and Government program offers students an in-depth understanding of political systems, behavior, and institutions. This program is designed for individuals interested in exploring the complexities of governance,…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop reading comprehension, active listening, speaking, active learning, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Political Scientists?+
The national job outlook is about -3.1% growth with around 500 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Master'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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