Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at Black Hills State University

Black Hills State graduates earn substantially more than typical education program graduates nationwide—landing in the 94th percentile—but those strong starting salaries don't hold. Within four years, earnings drop to $43,297, a 10% decline that distinguishes this program from most teaching careers, which typically show modest but steady growth. Among South Dakota's eleven education programs, Black Hills sits in the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile, trailing Dakota State and Northern State by about $3,000 annually by year four.

The debt picture is manageable at $26,312, creating a first-year ratio of 0.55 that suggests graduates can handle their loan payments on a teacher's salary. However, the earnings trajectory matters: that ratio looks considerably less favorable once salaries decline. The pattern may reflect graduates initially taking higher-paying positions in desirable districts or grade levels, then transitioning to different roles or locations that pay less. For context, this dip runs counter to the typical teaching career arc in South Dakota, where most programs show stable or slightly improving earnings.

If your child is committed to teaching in South Dakota, Black Hills State will prepare them adequately with debt they can manage. Just understand that their peak earning years may come immediately after graduation rather than building over time—unusual for education careers and worth factoring into long-term financial planning.