South Dakota State University
Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at South Dakota State University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 42% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 64th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (SD wage index 0.86). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at South Dakota State University
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | — | $122,169 | +5% | #15 of 29 | #4 | $25,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | — | $103,018 | +2% | #79 of 258 | #37 | — |
| Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | $77,949 | $93,195 | -1% | #20 of 43 | #10 | $21,185 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $67,791 | $87,704 | -5% | #249 of 318 | #125 | $27,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $73,770 | $83,815 | -9% | #240 of 459 | #204 | $21,500 |
| Civil Engineering | $69,129 | $82,486 | -5% | #155 of 233 | #83 | $23,250 |
| Agricultural Engineering | — | $79,322 | -6% | #22 of 26 | #15 | — |
| Plant Sciences | $58,787 | $78,494 | +39% | #2 of 44 | #1 | $22,125 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $71,758 | $77,932 | -12% | #809 of 966 | #665 | $23,500 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $69,255 | $73,360 | -3% | #52 of 93 | #35 | $26,500 |
| Political Science and Government | $34,337 | $70,727 | +12% | #115 of 565 | #61 | $24,250 |
| Agricultural Mechanization | $47,492 | $67,746 | -5% | #7 of 10 | #6 | $22,000 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $39,795 | $67,607 | +6% | #57 of 178 | #36 | $24,499 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $51,222 | $67,425 | +1% | #28 of 77 | #28 | $22,000 |
| Mathematics | $46,520 | $67,059 | -4% | #189 of 309 | #131 | $18,250 |
| Economics | $44,663 | $64,432 | -22% | #327 of 368 | #268 | $25,000 |
| Architecture | $41,781 | $63,978 | -4% | #54 of 78 | #37 | $27,000 |
| Agriculture | $49,781 | $61,132 | +14% | #8 of 43 | #3 | $19,500 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $43,563 | $60,081 | +13% | #95 of 476 | #48 | $20,162 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | — | $57,986 | +5% | #96 of 225 | #47 | — |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $43,904 | $57,725 | -5% | #43 of 67 | #37 | $24,312 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $41,019 | $56,400 | +3% | #200 of 610 | #138 | $24,068 |
| Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies | $44,891 | $56,132 | +5% | #9 of 19 | #9 | $21,852 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $39,173 | $55,345 | -2% | #296 of 660 | #169 | $25,500 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | — | $54,646 | -2% | #46 of 70 | #31 | — |
| Biology | $32,940 | $54,446 | -5% | #545 of 841 | #413 | $25,875 |
| Animal Sciences | $44,844 | $53,784 | +8% | #16 of 78 | #11 | $21,349 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $35,944 | $52,630 | +2% | #153 of 299 | #112 | $27,000 |
| Sociology | $40,236 | $51,910 | -1% | #239 of 462 | #130 | $23,250 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $39,483 | $50,623 | +12% | #4 of 37 | #5 | $20,250 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | — | $50,420 | -8% | #187 of 265 | #124 | — |
| English Language and Literature | $37,252 | $50,335 | +4% | #235 of 576 | #105 | $23,000 |
| Psychology | $35,425 | $50,210 | -1% | #503 of 1027 | #263 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $45,625 | $50,076 | -3% | #192 of 345 | #142 | $24,250 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management | $38,076 | $48,319 | -4% | #36 of 55 | #24 | $25,000 |
| History | $33,135 | $46,502 | -8% | #335 of 459 | #250 | $26,062 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $37,123 | $46,487 | -4% | #92 of 172 | #72 | $22,562 |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies | $45,770 | — | — | — | — | $24,024 |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $45,123 | — | — | — | — | $20,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $43,530 | $43,934 | -7% | #532 of 680 | #477 | $24,313 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $32,512 | $40,969 | -28% | #135 of 137 | #133 | $24,769 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
The South Dakota State University Town Property Report
- Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 57006 (2.7% cap, Brookings)
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🏆 Where South Dakota State University Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $7,773 | $11,283 |
| Room | $5,192 | |
| Board | $4,370 | |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $24,744 | $28,254 |
Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
| Family Income | Average Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,517 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,297 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,811 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $19,424 |
| $110,001+ | $20,048 |
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from South Dakota State University's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at South Dakota State University?
How much does it cost to attend South Dakota State University?
What is the graduation rate at South Dakota State University?
Is South Dakota State University a good school?
- Outcomes (B+): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (C): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (C): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (A): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (C): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend South Dakota State University?
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🎓 Similar Colleges to South Dakota State University
Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology