Computer and Information Sciences at Dakota State University

Dakota State University's computer science program lands squarely at the national median for earnings but trails most South Dakota options—sitting at just the 40th percentile statewide. This matters because in-state students have access to stronger alternatives: both SD School of Mines and SD State deliver $12,000-17,000 higher salaries with similar debt loads. The $23,000 debt here is manageable at roughly 38% of first-year earnings, but you're paying to underperform your state's median by about $6,500 annually.

The flat earnings trajectory—essentially identical pay in year four as year one—suggests limited advancement or that many graduates quickly hit a ceiling in their roles. Meanwhile, the state's top programs show sustained growth, indicating that employer perception or alumni networks may vary significantly between institutions. For a field where starting salaries typically climb quickly, this stagnation is unusual.

If your child has admission to Mines or State, those are demonstrably better investments. Dakota State makes sense primarily for students who need the high admission rate (98%) as a guaranteed entry point to tech careers or who have specific reasons to stay in Madison. The debt won't sink them, but the opportunity cost of $6,000+ annually compared to other South Dakota options adds up to real money over a career.