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South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD · Public · Visit Website

South Dakota State University's campus is located in Brookings, offering a traditional college town experience. As a land-grant university, SDSU maintains a strong focus on agriculture, engineering, nursing, and pharmacy programs alongside its liberal arts offerings. The university's research focus provides opportunities for students interested in STEM fields.

Programs Analyzed

Avg Grad Earnings

$46,959/yr

Avg DegreeOutlook Score

55/100

Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$9,299/yr

Out-of-state: $12,809/yr

Financial Aid & Net Price

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships, by family income. 16% of students receive Pell Grants and 46% take federal loans.

Family Income	Avg Net Price/yr	4-Year Net Cost	Net-Price ROI
$0 – $30K	$12,517	$50,068	9.4x
$30K – $48K	$14,297	$57,188	8.2x
$48K – $75K	$17,811	$71,244	6.6x
$75K – $110K	$19,424	$77,696	6.0x
$110K+	$20,048	$80,192	5.9x
Sticker price (no aid)	$9,299	$37,196	12.6x

Net price = tuition + fees + room & board minus grants and scholarships. ROI = average 10-year graduate earnings ÷ 4-year net cost. Source: IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey via College Scorecard.

All Programs at South Dakota State University

35 degree programs ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any program for full AI scenario analysis and 10-year earnings projections.

Program	DW Score	Earnings	AI Risk	ROI
Computer and Information Sciences, General Compare across schools	88	$73,770/yr	Very High	26.3x
Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration Compare across schools	84	$71,758/yr	High	18.6x
Civil Engineering Compare across schools	72	$69,129/yr	High	19.9x
Mechanical Engineering Compare across schools	72	$67,791/yr	Very High	22.0x
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research Compare across schools	70	$69,255/yr	Moderate	21.0x
Agricultural Business and Management Compare across schools	68	$51,222/yr	High	15.9x
Economics Compare across schools	68	$44,663/yr	Very High	16.4x
Construction Engineering Technologies Compare across schools	67	$77,949/yr	Very High	18.9x
Teacher Education Compare across schools	65	$45,625/yr	High	12.9x
Plant Sciences Compare across schools	63	$58,787/yr	High	17.1x
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations Compare across schools	61	$43,904/yr	High	13.2x
Mathematics Compare across schools	59	$46,520/yr	Very High	14.4x
Agricultural Mechanization Compare across schools	58	$47,492/yr	Moderate	18.2x
Teacher Education Compare across schools	57	$43,530/yr	High	10.7x
Parks Compare across schools	56	$38,076/yr	Moderate	12.3x
Animal Sciences Compare across schools	53	$44,844/yr	High	14.2x
Health and Physical Education/Fitness Compare across schools	53	$41,019/yr	Moderate	13.4x
Public Relations & Advertising Compare across schools	52	$39,795/yr	High	12.7x
Human Development & Family Studies Compare across schools	52	$37,123/yr	High	12.2x
Architecture Compare across schools	51	$41,781/yr	High	15.4x
Hospitality Administration/Management Compare across schools	51	$32,512/yr	High	13.1x
Business/Managerial Economics Compare across schools	50	$45,123/yr	Very High	11.1x
Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies Compare across schools	47	$44,891/yr	High	12.9x
Political Science and Government Compare across schools	47	$34,337/yr	Very High	12.6x
History Compare across schools	47	$33,135/yr	High	12.8x
Biology, General Compare across schools	46	$32,940/yr	High	14.7x
Sociology Compare across schools	45	$40,236/yr	High	11.3x
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies Compare across schools	44	$45,770/yr	High	11.3x
Psychology, General Compare across schools	44	$35,425/yr	High	12.0x
Agriculture, General Compare across schools	43	$49,781/yr	High	11.7x
Design and Applied Arts Compare across schools	43	$35,944/yr	High	12.6x
Liberal Arts and Sciences Compare across schools	42	$43,563/yr	Low	12.0x
Communication and Media Studies Compare across schools	42	$39,173/yr	High	11.1x
English Language and Literature, General Compare across schools	40	$37,252/yr	Very High	11.4x
Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management Compare across schools	38	$39,483/yr	High	11.9x

Compare any program at South Dakota State University with another school. Use the comparison tool →

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →