Special Education and Teaching at Black Hills State University

Black Hills State's special education program shows graduates earning nearly $5,000 above the national median right out of the gate, placing it in the 82nd percentile nationwide—a strong start for a teaching credential. However, the concerning pattern here is what happens next: earnings drop to $43,683 by year four, a decline that's unusual in education where salaries typically climb with experience. While the sample size is small (under 30 graduates) and this could reflect individual career choices rather than program quality, it's worth noting that this sits slightly above South Dakota's median for special education programs, ranking 60th percentile in-state.

The $26,812 debt load is right in line with both state and national norms, creating a manageable 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio at graduation. For context, special education teachers in South Dakota face a reality where even the state's top program (University of South Dakota) produces similar median earnings around $46,000. The career itself, rather than the program, may be the limiting factor on long-term earnings growth.

If your child is committed to special education teaching in South Dakota, this program delivers competitive preparation with reasonable debt. Just understand that the financial ceiling in this field is relatively low, and the small graduate sample means these numbers could shift significantly year to year.