Civil Engineering at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

South Dakota Mines graduates leave with outstanding debt levels—just $27,388, which places this program in the 5th percentile nationally for debt burden. Combined with starting salaries near $69,000, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 means graduates carry less than half a year's salary in loans, far better than many engineering programs where students graduate owing $40,000 or more.

The question mark is growth. Earnings essentially flatline between year one and year four, rising just $1,500, while the national median for civil engineering graduates shows more momentum. Among South Dakota's two civil engineering programs, this one trails slightly behind South Dakota State in both starting salary and four-year earnings. These aren't alarming differences—we're talking hundreds, not thousands of dollars—but the stagnant trajectory suggests graduates may hit their ceiling quickly, possibly in smaller regional markets or public-sector roles where advancement is slower.

For families prioritizing manageable debt and immediate employability, this program delivers on the fundamentals. Your child won't spend their twenties crushed by loan payments. But if the goal is maximizing long-term earning potential within civil engineering, the flat growth curve suggests looking closely at where graduates actually end up working and whether those opportunities align with your child's ambitions.