South Dakota State University
South Dakota State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
South Dakota State University at a Glance
South Dakota State University is a public land-grant research university in Brookings, South Dakota, United States. Founded in 1881, it is the state's largest university and is the second oldest continually operating university in the state. The university is governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents.
1881
145 years old
$293M
$292.6 million (2025)
12,139
10,728 undergrad · 1,337 grad
622
69 acres
Identity
Is South Dakota State University Worth It?
South Dakota State University offers moderate value at $19,841/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $55,070, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 61% graduation rate means roughly 39% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With a 98% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How South Dakota State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #66 of 118 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #4 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #5 | University of California-Merced | 93 | $11,983 | $64,368 |
| #6 | Cypress College | 86 | $4,606 | $43,533 |
| #66 | South Dakota State University | 42 | $19,841 | $55,070 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of South Dakota State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in SD.
Best Programs at South Dakota State University
The highest-earning program at South Dakota State University is Computer and Information Sciences, General at $63,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics at $27,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer and Information Sciences, General graduate from South Dakota State University earns $63,500, while a Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics graduate earns $27,600. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $26,250 for Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $19,841/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $63,500 | $63,500 | $27,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $60,400 | $60,400 | $27,000 |
| Civil Engineering | $58,600 | $58,600 | $27,000 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $56,300 | $56,300 | $27,625 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $56,000 | $56,000 | $24,250 |
| Construction Engineering Technologies | $55,300 | $55,300 | $24,625 |
| Plant Sciences | $53,800 | $53,800 | $24,996 |
| Agricultural Mechanization | $46,300 | $46,300 | $19,500 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $45,200 | $45,200 | $22,250 |
| Economics | $39,900 | $39,900 | $25,000 |
| Animal Sciences | $39,700 | $39,700 | $22,394 |
| Agriculture, General | $39,600 | $39,600 | $19,500 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $37,700 | $37,700 | $24,158 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $37,500 | $37,500 | $26,000 |
| History | $36,700 | $36,700 | $27,000 |
| Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies | $36,600 | $36,600 | $24,900 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $35,800 | $35,800 | $25,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $34,100 | $34,100 | $26,000 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $34,000 | $34,000 | $21,375 |
| Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services | $33,500 | $33,500 | $27,000 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $33,100 | $33,100 | $25,000 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $32,500 | $32,500 | $25,750 |
| Sociology | $32,200 | $32,200 | $23,125 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $32,100 | $32,100 | $23,625 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $31,900 | $31,900 | $26,000 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $31,800 | $31,800 | $22,875 |
| Biology, General | $30,600 | $30,600 | $25,000 |
| Journalism | $28,100 | $28,100 | $25,000 |
| Psychology, General | $27,800 | $27,800 | $23,303 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $27,600 | $27,600 | $26,250 |
Similar Colleges in SD
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Brookings, SD
- Student Body
- 9,198 students
- Admission Rate
- 98%
- Graduation Rate
- 61%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $19,841
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $55,070
- Median Student Debt
- $23,250