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Design and Applied Arts at South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD · Public · Bachelor's Degree
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
44
Optimistic
43
Base Case
49
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,944/yr (6% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)
ROI 14.0x earnings multiple (10.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #76 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Design and Applied Arts graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $525K $522K $492K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.1x 14.0x 13.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 10.2x 10.2x 9.6x
Probability of Field Employment 63% 57% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 44 43 49

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 (10.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$72,876
-96% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
9.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,581
41% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $35,944 at South Dakota State University come in 6% above the national median of $33,862 for Design and Applied Arts programs.

With a 14.0x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 6% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Design and Applied Arts career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $27,000 against $35,944/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #76 ranking among 290 Design and Applied Arts programs places South Dakota State University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 41% earnings increase from $35,944 to $50,581 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

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

Art directors $111,040/yr
Architecture teachers, postsecondary $101,480/yr
Special effects artists and animators $99,800/yr
View all 14 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 290 schools offering Design and Applied Arts →

Design and Applied Arts at Other Schools

Carnegie Mellon University ($66,274) University of Southern California ($64,846) University of Washington-Seattle Campus ($63,449) University of California-Los Angeles ($57,615) Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus ($52,694) University of Cincinnati-Main Campus ($52,526) Utah State University ($52,431) Interior Designers Institute ($51,188)

Other Majors at South Dakota State University

Construction Engineering Technologies ($77,949) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($73,770) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($71,758) Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions ($69,255) Civil Engineering ($69,129) Mechanical Engineering ($67,791) Plant Sciences ($58,787) Agricultural Business and Management ($51,222)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Design and Applied Arts 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 does a 43/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design and Applied Arts at South Dakota State University?
At 43/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Design and Applied Arts programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Design and Applied Arts at South Dakota State University?
The 38% 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 →