Sociology at South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
46
Optimistic
45
Base Case
42
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)
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)
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,250
6.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,610
13% growth from Year 1
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
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 →