Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at South Dakota State University

South Dakota State's entrepreneurship program charges middle-of-the-pack debt ($26,031—actually less than the national median) but delivers earnings that stall completely. Graduates earn essentially the same amount in year four ($43,932) as they do in year one ($43,904), which is unusual for a business degree and suggests limited career advancement opportunities. While the program ranks solidly in South Dakota's 60th percentile, that's against just six other in-state options, and it still falls short of the $45,265 national median.

The debt burden itself isn't alarming—a 0.59 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe about seven months of their first-year salary. But the complete absence of earnings growth raises questions about whether this program adequately prepares students for entrepreneurial success or positions them for traditional business roles that offer advancement. For reference, most bachelor's programs show meaningful salary increases as graduates gain experience and move into higher-level positions.

The caveat matters here: with fewer than 30 graduates in this cohort, these numbers could shift significantly with a larger sample. That said, flat earnings aren't a measurement error—they're a pattern worth understanding before committing. If your child is serious about entrepreneurship, ask the school specifically about alumni outcomes and whether graduates are successfully launching businesses or landing in entry-level roles without clear growth paths.