English at South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD · Public · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
40 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
40
Optimistic
40
Base Case
32
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,252/yr (22% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (61% exposed)
Job Market Large (73,200 openings/yr)
ROI 13.1x earnings multiple (9.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #39 of 493 English Language and Literature, General programs Top 10%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to English graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $486K $487K $457K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.1x 13.1x 12.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 9.5x 9.5x 8.9x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 40 40 32

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 (9.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$72,876
-96% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,000
7.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,053
24% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $37,252/yr, edging above the $30,427 national average for English — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The 13.1x 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 — 61% task exposure — and the 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $23,000 debt-to-$37,252 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

A #39 ranking out of 493 English programs nationally puts South Dakota State University in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $37,252 to $46,053 shows 24% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About South Dakota State University

South Dakota State University has a 99% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 8,798 students in Brookings, SD.

See all programs and financial aid at South Dakota State University →

Top Career Paths

English language and literature teachers, postsecondary $78,270/yr
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education $64,580/yr
Proofreaders and copy markers $49,210/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

English at Other Schools

Other Majors at South Dakota State University

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

How does South Dakota State University's English program score?
This program scores 40/100 — on the lower end for English. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is English to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' English careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 61% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →