Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at South Dakota State University

South Dakota State's liberal arts program outperforms most similar programs nationwide—earning graduates $43,563 in their first year places them in the 83rd percentile nationally, well above the $36,340 median. The debt load of $29,731 is reasonable for these outcomes, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68 that suggests graduates can manage their loans without excessive strain. Among South Dakota's liberal arts programs, this ranks solidly in the middle at the 60th percentile, essentially tied with Dakota State and ahead of USD.

The challenge here is one common to liberal arts degrees: earnings barely budge over time, growing just 4% from year one to year four. At $45,130 four years out, graduates are earning less than many technical or business majors make straight out of school. This isn't necessarily a red flag—many liberal arts graduates use these degrees as stepping stones to graduate school or careers where the degree serves as a credential rather than direct preparation.

For South Dakota families, this represents a relatively affordable path if your child is drawn to the humanities and liberal arts. The debt burden is manageable, and SDSU's open admissions means accessibility isn't a concern. Just understand that financial payoff comes from what your child does *with* the degree—grad school, specific career pivots, or professional credentials—rather than from the degree itself.