Health & Physical Education at South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Health and Physical Education/Fitness
53 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
54
Optimistic
53
Base Case
50
Pessimistic
Earnings $41,019/yr (32% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (25% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (128,800 openings/yr)
ROI 14.0x earnings multiple (10.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #25 of 529 Health and Physical Education/Fitness programs Top 5%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Health & Physical Education graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $522K $522K $487K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.0x 14.0x 13.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 10.2x 10.2x 9.5x
Probability of Field Employment 42% 42% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 54 53 50

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 (10.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$72,876
-96% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,068
7.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,427
30% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $41,019 per year, Health & Physical Education graduates from South Dakota State University significantly outpace the $31,057 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Health & Physical Education programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Health & Physical Education's typical career paths, with 25% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $24,068 represents roughly 7 months of the $41,019 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #25 of 529 nationally, this is a top-5% Health & Physical Education program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $41,019 to $53,427 over five years — a 30% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About South Dakota State University

With 99% of applicants admitted, South Dakota State University prioritizes broad access, enrolling 8,798 students in Brookings, SD.

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

Top Career Paths

Entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling $77,180/yr
Recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary $75,890/yr
Athletes and sports competitors $62,360/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Health & Physical Education at Other Schools

Other Majors at South Dakota State University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Health & Physical Education at South Dakota State University?
A score of 53/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Health & Physical Education field.
What makes South Dakota State University's Health & Physical Education program stand out?
Ranked #25 of 529 programs nationally, South Dakota State University lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →