Is South Dakota State University worth it?
South Dakota State University is a public, four-year institution in Brookings, South Dakota (small town). It awarded 2,594 degrees and certificates in 2024, most often in registered nursing, business economics and general studies.
Employer and job title data for South Dakota State University is being added
Federal data below is live now. When the scan lands, this page will show graduates found employed, top employers, first and current job titles, industries, metros and the trend by class year.
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- Found employed by class year, 2020 to 2025
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Federal data
Federal context for South Dakota State University
Published by the federal government for federally aided students. It does not say which employers hire graduates.
Median earnings 1 year after
$51,160
Median earnings 4 years after
$63,042
Median earnings 10 years after
$55,070
Average net price
$19,841
Completion rate
62%
Completions (2024)
2,594
Years to pay back
1.3 years
Students (undergrad)
9,198
Median earnings after completing, by program
| Program | Credential | Median earnings, 1yr | Median earnings, 4yr | Graduates counted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Bachelor's | $71,758 | $77,932 | 438 |
| Animal Sciences | Bachelor's | $44,844 | $53,784 | 121 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | Bachelor's | $43,530 | $43,934 | 88 |
| Mechanical Engineering | Bachelor's | $67,791 | $87,704 | 77 |
| Agriculture, General | Bachelor's | $49,781 | $61,132 | 74 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | Bachelor's | $45,625 | $50,076 | 71 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | Bachelor's | $51,222 | $67,425 | 67 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | Bachelor's | $39,483 | $50,623 | 62 |
| Plant Sciences | Bachelor's | $58,787 | $78,494 | 61 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | Bachelor's | $37,123 | $46,487 | 59 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | Master's | $45,975 | $57,278 | 58 |
| Sociology | Bachelor's | $40,236 | $51,910 | 55 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | Bachelor's | $43,563 | $60,081 | 52 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Master's | $103,339 | $109,395 | 49 |
| Economics | Bachelor's | $44,663 | $64,432 | 48 |
Source: College Scorecard, June 2026 release, and IPEDS. Earnings cover federally aided students only, so they do not cover every graduate.
Awards conferred, by program
| Program | Award level | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse | Bachelor's | 315 |
| Business/Managerial Economics | Bachelor's | 153 |
| Animal Sciences, General | Bachelor's | 76 |
| Biomedical Sciences, General | Bachelor's | 76 |
| Psychology, General | Bachelor's | 76 |
| Mechanical Engineering | Bachelor's | 71 |
| Human Development and Family Studies, General | Bachelor's | 59 |
| Early Childhood Education and Teaching | Bachelor's | 58 |
| Pharmacy | Doctoral professional practice | 58 |
| General Studies | Associate | 55 |
Federal view: Census PSEO, most recent federal cohort, one year after completion
| Industry | Share of graduates | Graduates counted |
|---|---|---|
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 29% | 9,929 |
| Educational Services | 15% | 4,975 |
| Manufacturing | 11% | 3,778 |
| Retail Trade | 8% | 2,808 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 8% | 2,568 |
| Finance and Insurance | 5% | 1,790 |
| Public Administration | 5% | 1,706 |
| Wholesale Trade | 5% | 1,693 |
Similar schools
Other public four year schools in South Dakota
Same state, same sector, nearest by completions.
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD
60%
completion rate
2,106
completions
Graduate data being added
See the pageDakota State University
Madison, SD
51%
completion rate
661
completions
Graduate data being added
See the pageSouth Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Rapid City, SD
53%
completion rate
502
completions
Graduate data being added
See the pageFor school staff
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Sources: federal figures for South Dakota State University. Federal figures from College Scorecard and IPEDS. Occupation pay from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS for South Dakota. Counts under 10 are not published.
Updated September 18, 2026 · Methodology · Report a problem with this page