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Liberal Arts and Sciences at South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $43,563/yr (17% vs median)

AI Risk Low (0% exposed)

Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

ROI 13.2x earnings multiple (9.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #62 of 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$492K	$492K	$467K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	13.2x	13.2x	12.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	9.6x	9.6x	9.1x
Probability of Field Employment	45%	45%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	42	42	44

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 (9.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$72,876

-96% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,162

5.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$48,310

11% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $43,563 per year, Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates from South Dakota State University earn slightly above the $37,172 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

With a 13.2x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 5% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most career paths mapped to Liberal Arts and Sciences involve work that current AI cannot replicate.

The median debt load of $20,162 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

South Dakota State University ranks #62 among 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The limited growth from $43,563 to $48,310 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.

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

Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490/yr

View all 1 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Liberal Arts and Sciences 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

What does a 42/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts and Sciences at South Dakota State University?

At 42/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts and Sciences programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Is South Dakota State University one of the best schools for Liberal Arts and Sciences?

Among 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs, South Dakota State University's #62 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →