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Sociology at South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $40,236/yr (17% vs median)

AI Risk High (42% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)

ROI 12.9x earnings multiple (9.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #105 of 414 Sociology programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Sociology graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$480K	$481K	$454K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.9x	12.9x	12.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	9.4x	9.4x	8.9x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	44%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	46	45	42

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 (9.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$72,876

-96% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$23,250

6.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$45,610

13% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $40,236 per year, Sociology graduates from South Dakota State University earn slightly above the $34,392 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 12.9x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 42% task exposure — and the 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $23,250 debt-to-$40,236 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #105 out of 414 programs, South Dakota State University's Sociology program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth is modest: $40,236 to $45,610 over five years (13% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

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

Managers, all other $136,550/yr

Sociologists $101,690/yr

Sociology teachers, postsecondary $82,540/yr

View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Sociology 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 Sociology program score?

This program scores 45/100 — on the lower end for Sociology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Sociology to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Sociology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 42% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why does South Dakota State University rank so high for Sociology?

The #105 ranking out of 414 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.

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