Chemical Engineering at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

South Dakota School of Mines delivers something increasingly rare: a chemical engineering degree with debt loads in the 5th percentile nationally. While the $72,785 starting salary sits right at the national median for the field, graduates leave with $28,000 in debt versus the typical $23,250—but that still translates to a healthy 0.38 debt-to-earnings ratio. You're looking at roughly five months of gross income to cover the entire debt load, which is exceptional by any standard.

The school's 85% admission rate and modest SAT scores might suggest a safety school, but the outcomes tell a different story. Chemical engineering graduates here earn essentially what their peers at more selective programs earn nationally, just without the premium price tag or admissions stress. This is South Dakota's only chemical engineering program, so the state comparison is limited, but that also means local employers know exactly where to recruit.

The practical math works strongly in favor of this program. A graduate earning $72,785 with $28,000 in debt faces roughly $300 monthly payments over ten years—easily manageable on an engineering salary. For families prioritizing financial security over prestige, this combination of median-tier earnings with bottom-tier debt creates a straightforward path to career launch without financial burden.