English at South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD · Public · Bachelor's Degree · English Language and Literature, General
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)
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)
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,000
7.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,053
24% growth from Year 1
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
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 →