Students at South Dakota State University achieve above-average long-term earnings that consistently outperform expectations, particularly in nursing, engineering, and emerging technology fields.
Graduates benefit from practical, career-focused programs that translate directly into stable employment and reliable financial outcomes over time.
Azimuth ranks South Dakota State University 73rd percentile nationally among public four-year institutions, reflecting its consistent ability to deliver above-average earnings outcomes for graduates. Located in Brookings, this mid-sized public university has built a reputation for practical, career-focused programs that translate directly into solid employment prospects. With median 10-year earnings of $55,070, SDSU graduates typically outperform many peers in long-term financial outcomes.
What distinguishes South Dakota State is its focus on professional preparation in high-demand fields. The university's strongest programs cluster around nursing, agriculture, engineering, and emerging technology fields like artificial intelligence. Nearly 60% of students complete their degrees within six years, and those who do graduate see reliable entry into stable career paths with predictable earning potential.
As a "Selective Achievers" institution, SDSU combines solid academic outcomes with more limited access for low-income students. The university serves about 16% Pell Grant recipients and 20% first-generation students, lower than typical public universities, but those who do attend benefit from strong career preparation and above-average earnings growth over time.
South Dakota State University's program portfolio centers on practical, professionally-oriented fields that lead directly to stable career outcomes. Nursing stands out as both the university's largest program and highest aggregate return generator, graduating 313 students annually with strong median earnings of $57,860. This program exemplifies SDSU's approach: substantial enrollment combined with reliable post-graduation employment in a growing field with clear career pathways.
The university's highest-earning programs cluster in technology and applied sciences. Artificial Intelligence graduates earn $74,845 in median 10-year earnings, though with smaller enrollment of 29 students, while engineering and agriculture programs provide solid middle-class outcomes for larger numbers of graduates. Even programs with more modest earnings, like Psychology at $29,033, prepare students for graduate school or entry-level positions in growing fields.
What distinguishes South Dakota State's program mix is its emphasis on fields with clear employment pathways and regional economic relevance. The university's strength in agriculture, nursing, engineering, and emerging technology reflects both South Dakota's economic base and national job market trends. This practical focus helps explain why SDSU graduates see consistent employment rates and steady earnings growth, even if absolute dollar amounts are more moderate than those at major research universities in high-cost metropolitan areas.
South Dakota State University graduates achieve solid long-term earnings that place the institution in the 73rd percentile nationally for return on investment. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $55,070, with the university's practical, career-focused approach translating into reliable employment outcomes across multiple fields. While earnings performance varies by program, the overall trajectory shows steady financial progress for most graduates.
The university's strongest financial returns come from its nursing program, which graduates 313 students annually with median 10-year earnings of $57,860, making it both the largest and highest-return program at SDSU. Artificial Intelligence represents the highest-earning field with graduates earning $74,845, though with smaller enrollment of 29 students. Engineering, agriculture, and other applied programs also deliver competitive outcomes, while liberal arts fields like Psychology show more modest earnings around $29,033.
South Dakota State's program mix emphasizes practical, professionally-oriented degrees that align well with regional and national job markets. The university's focus on nursing, agriculture, engineering, and technology creates multiple pathways to stable, middle-class careers. This approach helps explain why SDSU graduates see consistent earnings growth and strong employment rates, even if the absolute dollar amounts are more moderate than those seen at major research universities in high-cost metropolitan areas.
South Dakota State University offers reasonable affordability across income levels, with net prices that remain manageable for most families. Low-income students pay approximately $12,517 annually, while middle-income families see costs around $17,811 per year, and higher-income students face about $20,048 in net price. These figures place SDSU in the 57th percentile nationally for affordability, representing typical pricing for a mid-sized public university.
Debt levels at South Dakota State are generally sustainable given graduate earning potential. Students typically leave with about $23,250 in federal loan debt, a moderate amount that aligns well with the university's median graduate earnings of $55,070. The institution maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates can successfully manage their repayment obligations. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $14,616, reflecting families' willingness to invest in degrees that lead to stable career outcomes.
What makes SDSU particularly sustainable financially is the predictable relationship between what students pay and what they ultimately earn. The university's focus on practical, career-oriented programs means graduates enter fields with clear employment pathways and steady earning potential. This alignment between educational investment and career outcomes helps explain why loan repayment rates remain strong and why families view SDSU as a reliable path to economic stability.
South Dakota State University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
