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Liberal Arts & Humanities 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 & Humanities 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 & Humanities 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 & Humanities 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 & Humanities 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 & Humanities 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 & Humanities at South Dakota State University?

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

Is South Dakota State University one of the best schools for Liberal Arts & Humanities?

Among 424 Liberal Arts & Humanities 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 →