Mental Health Servicesat University of South Dakota
Graduates earn $41,191/yr in their first year — about 6.0% above the national Mental Health Services average. Base-case 10-year earnings $475K; scenarios range from $455K to $474K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of South Dakota
At $41,191 per year, Mental Health Services 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 Health Services programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Mental Health Services'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 Health Services 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.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of South Dakota's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Mental Health Services
How University of South Dakota stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of South Dakota
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of South Dakota, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Mental Health Services offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Mental Health Services trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Mental Health Services at University of South Dakota
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Mental Health Services 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 Health Services field.