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Construction Engineering Technologies at South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $77,949/yr (9% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (51% exposed)

Job Market Large (69,200 openings/yr)

ROI 18.5x earnings multiple (13.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #27 of 45 Construction Engineering Technologies programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Construction Engineering Technologies graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$714K	$686K	$607K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	19.2x	18.5x	16.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	13.9x	13.4x	11.8x
Probability of Field Employment	55%	48%	36%
DegreeOutlook Score	68	67	64

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$37,196

Out-of-state: $51,236 (13.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$72,876

-96% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$21,185

3.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$74,022

Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $77,949/yr, edging above the $71,754 national average for Construction Engineering Technologies — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 18.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Construction Engineering Technologies programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Construction Engineering Technologies's typical career paths, with 51% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 15% gap from the optimistic case.

At $21,185 in median debt against $77,949 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #27 of 45 Construction Engineering Technologies programs, South Dakota State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About South Dakota State University

South Dakota State University has a 99% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 8,798 students in Brookings, SD.

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

Top Career Paths

Construction managers $106,980/yr

Cost estimators $77,070/yr

Civil engineering technologists and technicians $64,200/yr

View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Construction Engineering Technologies at Other Schools

Other Majors at South Dakota State University

Explore the Trade Alternative

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 Construction Engineering Technologies at South Dakota State University?

This program scores 67/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Construction Engineering Technologies programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

Will AI replace Construction Engineering Technologies careers?

With 51% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $606,826 in decade earnings vs $714,015 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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