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Software Development at Dakota State University

Madison, SD · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Computer Software and Media Applications
36 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
38
Optimistic
36
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings $26,379/yr (-43% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (70% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (262,500 openings/yr)
ROI 12.2x earnings multiple (9.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #41 of 55 Computer Software and Media Applications programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Software Development graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $465K $469K $452K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.1x 12.2x 11.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 9.1x 9.2x 8.9x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 38 36 40

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,532
Out-of-state: $50,940 (9.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$78,900
-105% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
12.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,222
56% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $26,379/yr fall 43% below the $46,351 national median for Software Development. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Software Development programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Software Development's typical career paths, with 70% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 3% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,000 against $26,379/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.0 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.

Ranked #41 of 55 Software Development programs, Dakota State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $41,222 show a 56% jump from the $26,379 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Dakota State University

Dakota State University has a 98% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a smaller institution with 1,969 students in Madison, SD.

See all programs and financial aid at Dakota State University →

Top Career Paths

Computer and information systems managers $171,200/yr
Computer and information research scientists $140,910/yr
Database architects $135,980/yr
View all 13 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 55 schools offering Software Development →

Software Development at Other Schools

University of Southern California ($103,071) University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ($98,117) Western Governors University ($95,292) Worcester Polytechnic Institute ($86,193) University of Phoenix-Arizona ($83,476) University of Phoenix-California ($83,476) University of Phoenix-Texas ($83,476) DigiPen Institute of Technology ($81,885)

Other Majors at Dakota State University

Information Science/Studies ($63,636) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($61,287) Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management ($58,166) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($46,627) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($44,748) Special Education and Teaching ($42,318) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($41,119)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Software Development trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 Software Development at Dakota State University?
A score of 36/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Software Development. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Software Development at Dakota State University worth the student debt?
Median debt of $27,000 against $26,379/yr starting salary means roughly 1.0 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
Will AI replace Software Development careers?
With 70% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $452,212 in decade earnings vs $465,323 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Software Development from Dakota State University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →