Aberdeen, South Dakota has a population of about 28,297. The city’s median household income is $63,715 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 33.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. In South Dakota, the top-earning liberal arts-related role is Management Analyst at a median $79,660 annually (BLS, May 2024).
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer liberal arts programs. Distances are calculated from Aberdeen city center.
No Aberdeen-area programs are currently indexed in our directory.
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all South Dakota schools on the South Dakota liberal arts page.
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (South Dakota, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $65,000 |
| Management Analyst | $79,660 |
| Technical Writer | $60,310 |
| News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist | $36,610 |
| Editor | $57,260 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $62,170 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $61,920 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,297 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $63,715 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 33.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Liberal Arts-related employment in Brown County | 39 workers, 7 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying liberal arts-related roles in South Dakota are: Management Analyst ($79,660), Public Relations Specialist ($65,000), Training and Development Specialist ($62,170). Wages for Aberdeen workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Watertown, SD is 74.6 miles from Aberdeen and has its own set of local liberal arts programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Aberdeen’s median household income of $63,715 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Aberdeen while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and South Dakota public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.
Return to Best Online Liberal Arts Programs in South Dakota (2026)