South Dakota State University
#6 Best Bachelor's Programs in South Dakota- Graduation Rate
- 61% C+
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $55,070 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $19,841 C-
- 16% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 98% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 15.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $15.6 over 20 years. Ranked #6 in Best Bachelor's Programs in South Dakota.
Every $1 spent returns $15.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,162,660.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 35% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $15.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why South Dakota State University Matters
South Dakota State University is a public research university in Brookings, SD and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 9,198
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Engineering, Education
Why students choose South Dakota State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 98% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1060–1240. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $19,841 a year after grants and scholarships — 16% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $55,070 ten years after enrolling — 35% above the typical college, against $23,250 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.70 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 98%, South Dakota State University is an accessible choice for a wide range of students, especially those interested in programs like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Engineering, Education, and Biology & Biomedical. This openness creates a diverse student body that thrives in a supportive environment. The size of the campus, with nearly 9,200 students, allows for both community feel and ample opportunities for involvement in various academic and extracurricular activities.
Once students graduate, they can expect to earn around $55,070 within ten years. This figure illustrates a solid return on investment considering the school's affordability. While 17% of students receive Pell Grants, which often support those with significant financial needs, the overall cost of living and studying here remains manageable for many. This balance of education and financial outcomes suggests that graduates have the potential for upward mobility, especially in fields with strong demand.
Looking at the practical side, the net price after aid stands at about $19,841, and the median debt for graduates is $23,250. This means that while there’s a financial commitment, it’s relatively reasonable compared to potential earnings. Students who tend to thrive here are those who are proactive, engaged, and ready to take advantage of the resources available, whether it’s in the classroom or through campus organizations. Overall, South Dakota State University presents a solid pathway for students seeking both education and affordability.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective South Dakota State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into South Dakota State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Brookings, South Dakota, South Dakota State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 98%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,120. The graduation rate is roughly 61%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 98%
- Retention Rate
- 84%
- SAT Average
- 1120
- ACT Midpoint
- 22
- SAT Range
- 1060–1240
- ACT Range
- 19–25
- Full-Time Faculty
- 81%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,231
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.29
- First-Gen Students
- 20%
- Applicants
- 6,364
- Admitted
- 5,478
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend South Dakota State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at South Dakota State University is $12,809, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $19,841. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,266 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,250 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $9,299
- Out-of-State
- $12,809
- Avg Net Price
- $19,841
- Median Debt
- $23,250
- Pell Grant Rate
- 17%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 43%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $14,266
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $15,248
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $18,073
- Family Income $110K+
- $21,886
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at South Dakota State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is South Dakota State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of South Dakota State University earn a median of $55,070, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $49,564
- 8 Years
- $52,417
- 10 Years
- $55,070
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.42x
- Earning > $25K
- 77%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (865)
- 41%
- 100% (865)
- 41%
- 100% (865)
- 41%
- 100% (865)
- 41%
How South Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is South Dakota State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, South Dakota State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $19,841/year ($79,364 total). Graduates earn $55,070 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,242,024 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,162,660 (15.6× your investment). The median debt is $23,250, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 61% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $79,364
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,242,024
- Net Return
- $1,162,660
- ROI Multiple
- 15.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $19,841
- Median Debt
- $23,250
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 61%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $349,774
Top Programs
The fields South Dakota State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 22% $68,749 early-career
- Business & Marketing 6%
- Engineering 6%
- Education 6%
- Biology & Biomedical 5%
- Humanities 5%
- Visual & Performing Arts 4%
- Psychology 3% $34,497 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for South Dakota State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into South Dakota State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Brookings, South Dakota, South Dakota State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 98%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,120. The graduation rate is roughly 61%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend South Dakota State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at South Dakota State University is $12,809, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $19,841. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,266 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,250 in federal student loans.
Is South Dakota State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of South Dakota State University earn a median of $55,070, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is South Dakota State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at South Dakota State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.70, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to South Dakota State University.
- Central Michigan UniversityMount Pleasant, MI · Close peer60% grad $55,874 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Colorado Colorado SpringsColorado Springs, CO · Close peer46% grad $54,659 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleEdwardsville, IL · Close peer56% grad $56,346 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Alabama at BirminghamBirmingham, AL · Close peer63% grad $54,501 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- University of Northern IowaCedar Falls, IA · Close peer68% grad $55,177 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of ToledoToledo, OH · Close peer56% grad $50,632 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is South Dakota State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at South Dakota State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.70, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note