Liberal Arts and Sciences at South Dakota State University
A 99% acceptance rate means South Dakota State University is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 8,798 students in Brookings, SD.
Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $20,704/yr fall 25% below the $27,616 national median for Liberal Arts and Sciences. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 19.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Liberal Arts and Sciences programs nationally.
The 40% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 0% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates.
Median debt of $12,000 represents roughly 7 months of the $20,704 starting salary — a manageable burden by trade school standards.
Ranked #802 of 830 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs, South Dakota State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $46,957 show a 127% jump from the $20,704 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
Top Career Paths
Top career paths for Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates by median salary.
| Career Path | Median Salary | Growth | AI-ProofAI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary teachers, all other | $78,490 | +1.8% | 100% |
About Liberal Arts and Sciences Careers
Your studies in humanities and sciences can lead to a career shaping minds in higher education. As a community college instructor, your days are focused on the classroom. You’ll craft engaging lectures, lead discussions on foundational texts, and spend afternoons in office hours, helping students one-on-one with their essays and research projects. At a four-year university, your role often expands to include original research, meaning you might spend your mornings teaching a seminar and your afternoons in the library archives, contributing new knowledge to your field by writing articles and books.
Compare & Explore
Liberal Arts and Sciences Overview
Liberal Arts and Sciences at Other Schools
Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?
Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.