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Electrical at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Rapid City, SD · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
61 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
62
Optimistic
61
Base Case
57
Pessimistic
Earnings $73,551/yr (-5% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Large (54,500 openings/yr)
ROI 17.8x earnings multiple (12.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #231 of 262 Electrical programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $768K $739K $638K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.5x 17.8x 15.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 13.0x 12.5x 10.8x
Probability of Field Employment 78% 70% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 62 61 57

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$41,600
Out-of-state: $59,200 (12.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$81,520
-96% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,020
3.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $73,551/yr, Electrical graduates from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology land near the $77,516 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 17.8x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 17% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Electrical career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $22,020 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #231 ranking among 262 Electrical programs places South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

With 85% of applicants admitted, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology prioritizes broad access, a compact campus enrolling 2,042 students in Rapid City, SD.

See all programs and financial aid at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Computer hardware engineers $155,020/yr
Aerospace engineers $134,830/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 262 schools offering Electrical →

Electrical at Other Schools

Carnegie Mellon University ($139,337) University of California-Berkeley ($137,295) Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($117,345) Cornell University ($100,516) The University of Texas at Austin ($96,997) Rice University ($96,751) National University ($93,417) Northeastern University ($92,222)

Other Majors at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Mining and Mineral Engineering ($90,514) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($78,193) Chemical Engineering ($72,785) Computer Engineering ($72,639) Metallurgical Engineering ($71,985) Industrial Engineering ($70,216) Mechanical Engineering ($69,667) Civil Engineering ($68,755)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Electrical trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 61/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Electrical at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
At 61/100, the score looks reasonable — but Electrical is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Electrical at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
The 56% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →