At $18,219/yr net price, South Dakota State University graduates earn $55,070/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $21,070/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $18,219 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $72,876 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,070/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$21,070/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 59.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,517/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,297/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,811/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $19,424/yr |
| $110,001+ | $20,048/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $117,014 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $92,277 | $53,543 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $74,845 | $21,500 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $74,576 | |
| Civil Engineering. | Master | $67,660 | |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $61,322 | $27,000 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor | $59,124 | $23,250 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $57,860 | $23,500 |
| Construction Engineering Technologies. | Bachelor | $56,776 | $21,185 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $56,234 | $26,500 |
The Risk Factor
59.6% of students at South Dakota State University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
South Dakota State University gives you a solid financial return, with median debt sitting just below what a graduate earns in a single year. That ratio is healthy and puts you in a good position to pay off loans without a decade of strain.
The payoff depends heavily on your major. Computer and information sciences and electrical engineering both clear $74,000, and computer science does it while carrying the lowest debt of the top programs. If you can handle that coursework, these are the strongest financial bets on campus. Mechanical and civil engineering and nursing land in the high $50,000s to low $60,000s, still comfortably above the school-wide median. The catch: mechanical engineering carries the heaviest debt of any listed program, so the gap between earnings and what you borrow is narrower there than in computer science.
The main risk is completion. Only about six in ten students finish, so if you borrow, start a degree, and leave without one, you carry the debt without the earnings that justify it. The 83% first-year retention rate is more encouraging, meaning most of the fallout happens after year one.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay roughly $12,500 a year, about $7,500 less than families over $110,000. That lower-income price against a $55,000 median salary is a strong deal.
This school fits you if you're aiming at engineering, computer science, or nursing and want a public-college price with regional demand for those skills. If you're planning a lower-earning major, the numbers here work best when you keep borrowing near the school median and finish on time. Look harder at the completion risk before you commit to loans in a field with softer pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Dakota State University worth the cost?
South Dakota State University offers reasonable value with a net price of $18,219 and median debt of $23,250, though the 10-year median earnings of $55,070 are below national averages. The payoff depends heavily on your major, with pharmacy and nursing programs leading to strong salaries while other fields may struggle to justify the investment.
What programs at South Dakota State University have the best ROI?
Pharmacy programs at South Dakota State University deliver the strongest returns with median earnings of $117,014, followed by nursing at $92,277. Engineering and computer science majors also see solid outcomes with salaries in the $67,000-$74,000 range, well above the university average.
How much debt do South Dakota State University graduates typically have?
South Dakota State University graduates carry a median debt load of $23,250, which is manageable compared to many universities. However, with median 10-year earnings of $55,070, debt-to-income ratios can be tight for graduates in lower-paying fields.
Does South Dakota State University provide good financial aid?
South Dakota State University keeps costs relatively low with a net price of $18,219 after aid, making it accessible for many families. The 86% acceptance rate means most students can get in, but the 60% graduation rate suggests many struggle to finish their programs.