Electrical Engineering at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Rapid City, SD · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
62
Optimistic
61
Base Case
57
Pessimistic
Earnings
$73,551/yr (-5% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market
Large (54,500 openings/yr)
ROI
17.8x earnings multiple (12.5x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Electrical Engineering graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $768K | $739K | $638K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 18.5x | 17.8x | 15.3x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 13.0x | 12.5x | 10.8x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 78% | 70% | 48% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 62 | 61 | 57 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$41,600
Out-of-state: $59,200 (12.5x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,020
3.6 months of Year 1 earnings
About South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
With 85% of applicants admitted, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology prioritizes broad access, a compact campus enrolling 2,042 students in Rapid City, SD.
See all programs and financial aid at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology →Top Career Paths
Architectural and engineering managers
$167,740/yr
Computer hardware engineers
$155,020/yr
Aerospace engineers
$134,830/yr
Compare & Explore
Electrical Engineering at Other Schools
Other Majors at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a 61/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Electrical Engineering at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
At 61/100, the score looks reasonable — but Electrical Engineering is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Electrical Engineering at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
The 56% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →