Business Economics at South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Business/Managerial Economics
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
52
Optimistic
50
Base Case
49
Pessimistic
Earnings
$45,123/yr (-15% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (105,700 openings/yr)
ROI
13.6x earnings multiple (9.9x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Business Economics graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $509K | $507K | $477K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 13.7x | 13.6x | 12.8x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 9.9x | 9.9x | 9.3x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 66% | 58% | 42% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 52 | 50 | 49 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$37,196
Out-of-state: $51,236 (9.9x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,500
5.5 months of Year 1 earnings
About South Dakota State University
With 99% of applicants admitted, South Dakota State University prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 8,798 in Brookings, SD.
See all programs and financial aid at South Dakota State University →Top Career Paths
Economics teachers, postsecondary
$119,980/yr
Economists
$115,440/yr
Financial risk specialists
$106,000/yr
Compare & Explore
Business Economics at Other Schools
Other Majors at South Dakota State University
Consider the Trade Route?
Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a 50/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Business Economics at South Dakota State University?
At 50/100, the score looks reasonable — but Business Economics 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 Business Economics at South Dakota State University?
The 53% 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.
Is South Dakota State University a good choice for Business Economics despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If South Dakota State University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →