Biology at South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
46 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
47
Optimistic
46
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,940/yr (2% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 15.6x earnings multiple (11.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #172 of 822 Biology, General programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $585K $579K $530K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.7x 15.6x 14.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 11.4x 11.3x 10.4x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 47 46 46

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$37,196
Out-of-state: $51,236 (11.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$72,876
-96% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,875
9.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$58,408
77% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $32,940/yr, roughly in line with the $32,219 national median for Biology. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Biology programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Biology's typical career paths, with 40% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $25,875 represents roughly 9 months of the $32,940 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #172 of 822 nationally, this is a top-5% Biology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $58,408 show a 77% jump from the $32,940 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About South Dakota State University

South Dakota State University accepts 99% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 8,798 students in Brookings, SD.

See all programs and financial aid at South Dakota State University →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists $100,590/yr
Biological scientists, all other $93,330/yr
View all 10 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

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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 Biology at South Dakota State University?
A score of 46/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Biology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Biology careers?
With 40% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $530,390 in decade earnings vs $584,843 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes South Dakota State University's Biology program stand out?
Ranked #172 of 822 programs nationally, South Dakota State University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →