Biology at Black Hills State University

Black Hills State's biology program produces graduates who earn slightly above both the national and South Dakota medians—ranking in the 60th percentile statewide—but these figures come from a very small sample size that makes any conclusions tentative. At $33,518 first-year, graduates earn modestly more than the typical biology grad nationwide ($32,316) and edge out the state median by about $300. The debt load of $26,613 is manageable relative to earnings, creating a 0.79 debt-to-earnings ratio that's better than many programs. However, it's worth noting that within South Dakota, University of Sioux Falls biology grads earn nearly $13,000 more annually, suggesting significant variation in outcomes even within the state.

The real concern here isn't the numbers themselves—which look reasonable for a biology bachelor's—but their reliability. With fewer than 30 graduates tracked, a few outliers could substantially skew these figures up or down. The modest debt burden (30th percentile nationally) is legitimately encouraging, but parents should verify current job placement patterns directly with the department before drawing firm conclusions.

For a family seeking an affordable in-state biology degree, this program appears adequate based on available data, especially if graduate school is the next step. Just recognize you're making this decision with less statistical certainty than you'd have at larger programs with more robust outcome data.