Architecture at South Dakota State University

South Dakota State's architecture program sits in an unusual position: it's the only game in town for in-state students, but graduates earn about $5,000 less their first year than the national median for architecture majors. At $41,781 starting out, these graduates face a manageable debt load of $27,000—right at the national median—but they're entering a field where higher starting salaries are typical at most programs.

The 25% earnings growth to $52,020 by year four suggests the program produces architects who gain traction in the market, though these graduates still trail their peers nationally. For South Dakota families, the value calculation hinges largely on whether staying in-state for lower tuition outweighs the earnings gap. The program's open-access admission (99% acceptance rate) makes it accessible, but the modest SAT average suggests students aren't competing for spots at top-tier programs anyway.

The critical caveat: these numbers come from fewer than 30 graduates, making them statistically shaky. One exceptional cohort—or one struggling cohort—could wildly skew the picture. For parents, this means the decision depends heavily on individual circumstances: if your child is committed to architecture and wants to stay in South Dakota, this is the only bachelor's option. Just recognize they'll likely start behind peers from other programs and may need to work harder to close that gap.