Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $41,781 track close to the $45,895 national median for Architecture programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
The 16.3x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.
AI risk is moderate — 46% task exposure — and the 10% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $27,000 debt-to-$41,781 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.
Ranked #31 out of 66 programs, South Dakota State University's Architecture offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.
The five-year earnings trajectory from $41,781 to $61,118 shows 46% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.