Family & Consumer Economicsat South Dakota State University
Graduates earn $44,891/yr in their first year — about 10.0% above the national Family & Consumer Economics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $511K; scenarios range from $478K to $513K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at South Dakota State University
South Dakota State's program stands out nationally because it's deeply integrated into the regional economy, particularly serving the financial and resource management needs of families and agricultural communities. This public university leverages its land-grant mission to connect students with practical, in-demand skills. You'll find strong pipelines to local banks, credit unions, cooperative extension offices, and community development organizations that value graduates adept at personal finance, budgeting, and consumer education. The curriculum likely emphasizes real-world application, preparing you for roles where trust and human connection are paramount. Given the increasing role of AI in financial calculations, your success will hinge on developing exceptional interpersonal communication, empathy, and problem-solving skills to navigate complex client situations and build lasting relationships, especially in advisory or educational capacities. Pursuing relevant professional certifications while studying can further enhance your marketability.
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.
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.
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.
Peer schools offering Family & Consumer Economics
How South Dakota State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at South Dakota State University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at South Dakota State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Family & Consumer Economics at South Dakota State University
How does South Dakota State University's Family & Consumer Economics program score?
This program scores 47/100 — on the lower end for Family & Consumer Economics. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Family & Consumer Economics to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Family & Consumer Economics careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.