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Health Professions · Clinical Laboratory Science Rank #8 of 99

Clinical Laboratory Scienceat South Dakota State University

Graduates earn $69,255/yr in their first year — about 5.0% above the national Clinical Laboratory Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $676K; scenarios range from $621K to $677K depending on AI disruption.

Brookings, SD Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
70 STRONG
70
Optimistic
69
Pessimistic
Earnings
$69,255
1-year post-graduation
ROI
21.0x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$676K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
29% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at South Dakota State University

South Dakota State's program is a national standout, a testament to its strong regional relevance and effective curriculum. The consistent demand for skilled allied health professionals across the upper Midwest, particularly in states like South Dakota, creates a robust job market for graduates. This program likely benefits from deep-seated relationships with major regional healthcare providers such as Sanford Health and Avera Health, ensuring ample clinical placement opportunities and direct recruitment pipelines.

You'll be trained for critical, behind-the-scenes roles in hospital labs, diagnostic centers, or public health facilities, forming the essential backbone of patient diagnosis. The program’s reputation and focus on practical skills mean employers actively seek out SDSU graduates. To truly maximize your trajectory, leverage every networking opportunity during clinical rotations; these connections are your direct path to securing a fulfilling role right out of the gate.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$621K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score69/100
Earnings Multiple16.7x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$676K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score70/100
Earnings Multiple18.2x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$677K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score70/100
Earnings Multiple18.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to South Dakota State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Clinical Laboratory Science graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
+17.3% 10-yr growth · 27,400 openings/yr
$105,620/yr
Moderate
2
Surgical technologists
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 7,000 openings/yr
$62,830/yr
Low
3
Health technologists and technicians, all other
+5.2% 10-yr growth · 13,600 openings/yr
$48,790/yr
High
4
Medical equipment preparers
+10.0% 10-yr growth · 10,900 openings/yr
$46,490/yr
Low
5
Phlebotomists
+5.6% 10-yr growth · 18,400 openings/yr
$43,660/yr
Low
6
Ophthalmic laboratory technicians
+2.3% 10-yr growth · 2,400 openings/yr
$38,420/yr
Low
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Clinical Laboratory Science

How South Dakota State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
CUNY York College
NY · Public
65
DW Score
$105K
1-yr earn
34.8x
ROI
Mercy University
NY · Private nonprofit
58
DW Score
$102K
1-yr earn
10.5x
ROI
Top score
Farmingdale State College
NY · Public
76
DW Score
$96K
1-yr earn
26.5x
ROI
Stony Brook University
NY · Public
76
DW Score
$92K
1-yr earn
24.3x
ROI
College of Staten Island CUNY
NY · Public
75
DW Score
$86K
1-yr earn
30.2x
ROI
Also at South Dakota State University

Other top programs at South Dakota State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at South Dakota State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Clinical Laboratory Science offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Clinical Laboratory Science trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Clinical Laboratory Science at South Dakota State University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Clinical Laboratory Science at South Dakota State University?

This program scores 70/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Clinical Laboratory Science nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.