South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota · Public · 98.3% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 61/100 · Fair Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
South Dakota State University scores 61 (Fair Value). The most notable feature in its Scorecard data is a standout repayment rate of 88.9% at 3 years, suggesting SDSU graduates who borrow are effectively managing their debt. This contrasts with an only moderate earnings trajectory: $41,100 average 6-year earnings, a 10.9-year payback period, and a 62.4% completion rate. Pharmacy is the clear standout at 60 graduates earning $122,169 at year four (ROI grade A, debt-to-earnings 0.213). Nursing is the volume driver at 290 graduates and $71,758 year-one. The engineering programs - Mechanical (72 graduates, $67,791 year-one), Civil (47 graduates, $69,129 year-one), and Construction Engineering Technology ($77,949 year-one) - produce solid outcomes at low in-state cost ($9,299 tuition). Agriculture programs are well-represented and reflect SDSU's land-grant mission. The institutional aggregate is pulled down by a 62.4% completion rate and a wide tail of lower-earning social science and arts programs with D-grade ROI metrics.
South Dakota State University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $9,299/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $12,809/yr |
| Average net price | $19,841/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $79,364 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,070 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $41,100 |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,250 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $246 |
| Estimated payback period | 10.9 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 62.4% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 9,198 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $9,299/year ($12,809/year out-of-state), which covers tuition and fees only. The net price counts books, supplies, and average living costs on top of tuition and fees, then subtracts grants and scholarships. For the average student here it comes to $19,841/year, or roughly $79,364 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $14,266/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $21,886/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $23,250, which works out to about $246 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($41,100) and comes to 0.57, under 1.0, meaning median debt is less than a full year of those earnings.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,266 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,248 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,073 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,706 |
| $110,001+ | $21,886 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 income bracket pays $14,266 per year at SDSU. Against in-state tuition of $9,299, this net price is higher than expected, suggesting that room, board, and fees constitute the bulk of the cost even after aid. The 88.9% repayment rate suggests borrowers are managing debt successfully, which is the most favorable signal for low-income students considering SDSU.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $18,073 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $20,706. Net price rises modestly across income bands. At these cost levels, pharmacy and nursing programs produce payback periods well under 10.9 years. Middle-income students in engineering or agriculture also face a reasonable financial picture at these costs.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $21,886 per year. SDSU's out-of-state tuition of $12,809 is also low by national standards, meaning even out-of-state families pay relatively modest amounts. The full-pay case at SDSU depends entirely on program: pharmacy and nursing produce fast paybacks, while social science and arts programs do not.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at South Dakota State University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $77,932 | B |
| Animal Sciences | $53,784 | C+ |
| Business Information Systems | $45,123 | C+ |
| Biology | $54,446 | D |
| Psychology | $50,210 | D |
| Mechanical Engineering | $87,704 | B |
| Teacher Education | $43,934 | C |
| Pharmacy | $122,169 | A |
| Agriculture, General | $61,132 | B |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $46,487 | C |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Pharmacy
Pharmacy is SDSU's top-performing program: 60 graduates, $122,169 median year-four earnings, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.213 (ROI grade A). Year-one earnings are not reported by the Scorecard. Median debt of $26,000 against a $122k salary produces a fast payback. South Dakota's pharmacist demand from hospital systems, retail pharmacy, and rural health access creates strong regional placement. This program is a genuine value at SDSU's low in-state tuition.
Registered Nursing
Nursing (290 graduates) earns $71,758 year-one and $77,932 year-four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.390 (ROI grade B). This is SDSU's highest-volume program and a reliable earnings pathway in a state with persistent healthcare workforce shortages. Median debt of $28,000 is manageable against starting nursing salaries. The program is a cornerstone of SDSU's professional outcomes.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering (72 graduates) earns $67,791 year-one and $87,704 year-four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.398 (ROI grade B). At in-state tuition of $9,299, SDSU Mechanical Engineering graduates enter a favorable cost-to-earnings ratio. South Dakota manufacturers and regional engineering firms provide employment, and graduates also move to larger Midwest markets.
Animal Sciences
Animal Sciences (101 graduates) earns $44,844 year-one and $53,784 year-four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.517 (ROI grade C+). This program reflects SDSU's land-grant identity. Graduates enter livestock production, feed industry, and agricultural services in South Dakota and the Northern Plains.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 85.5% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 88.9% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 80.4% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 84.8% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How South Dakota State University’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 98.3% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 530-630 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 530-610 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 19-25 |
| Enrollment | 9,198 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 16.8% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $10,231 |
SDSU's 98.3% admission rate means essentially all applicants are admitted. ACT range 19-25 and SAT 530-630 Math describe the middle half of enrolled students. Selectivity into specific professional programs like pharmacy, nursing, and engineering may differ from the institutional rate. Prospective students should verify program-specific requirements.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota State University (this school) | 61 | $19,841 | $55,070 |
| Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | 67 | $14,889 | $56,346 |
| Empire State University | 61 | $11,676 | $54,080 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | 59 | $15,788 | $54,659 |
| Dakota State University | 43 | $21,057 | $50,970 |
| Black Hills State University | 31 | $15,911 | $46,674 |
Who Thrives Here
SDSU admits 98.3% of applicants - effectively open access. ACT range 19-25 reflects the student body SDSU serves. At 9,198 enrolled students, SDSU is a mid-sized land-grant with strong agriculture, engineering, nursing, and pharmacy programs. Students drawn to agriculture, health sciences, or engineering at low cost will find strong program-level outcomes. Students in general social sciences or arts face weaker financial returns.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
South Dakota State University is a fair-value bet, but how well it pays off depends a lot on you. At $19,841 a year after aid ($79,364 over four years), with the typical graduate earning $55,070 a decade out, the cost takes about 10.9 years to earn back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
What it has going for it: high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $23,250 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $41,100 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57, under the 1.0 point at which debt would equal a full year of those earnings. Your major matters a lot here: graduates in higher-earning fields will see the better end of this.
South Dakota State University: Common Questions
Is South Dakota State University worth it?
In our view, it's a fair-value bet - whether South Dakota State University is worth it depends a lot on your major and aid package. It scores 61/100 on our ROI scale. At $19,841 a year after aid ($79,364 over four years) against $55,070 in typical earnings a decade out, the cost takes about 10.9 years to earn back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
How much does South Dakota State University cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $19,841 a year, or roughly $79,364 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do South Dakota State University graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $55,070 ten years after enrolling, roughly $13,270 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off South Dakota State University?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 10.9 years for South Dakota State University. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do South Dakota State University graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $23,250, against average earnings of $41,100 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57. In our view that is reasonable, though your major matters: higher-earning fields will see the better end of it.
What is the graduation rate at South Dakota State University?
The six-year graduation rate is 62.4%. The national average for four-year schools is 64% (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
NewsletterCollege decisions are better with data.
From CampusROI, when there is something worth acting on.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.