WhatGradsMake
Master's-21% vs national median540 grads tracked

Engineering at South Dakota State University

Ranked 123rd of 126 master's programs in Engineering by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$73,205
middle 50%: $57,822 – $86,169
Median · 5 years out
$93,240
middle 50%: $77,700 – $112,939
Median · 10 years out
$115,747
middle 50%: $95,230 – $138,682

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Engineering (master's) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of South Dakota State University's master's program in Engineering earn a median $73,205 one year after graduating, rising to $115,747 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 21% below the national median of $118,623 for this field, ranking 123rd of 126 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
4.3 yrs
≈ $4,601 total interest

Same major at other universities

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
$96,266 · 5 yrs out
Montana State University Bozeman
$95,750 · 5 yrs out
University of Maine
$95,682 · 5 yrs out
Georgia Southern University
$94,530 · 5 yrs out
University of Hawaii at Manoa
$93,804 · 5 yrs out
SUNY College of Environment Science & Forestry
$93,733 · 5 yrs out
University of Georgia
$91,987 · 5 yrs out
Kent State University
$89,527 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
$83,557 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at South Dakota State University

Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$152,803 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$152,496 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Bachelor's)
$148,262 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$142,581 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$113,950 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$112,807 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$102,841 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$100,794 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,697 · 5 yrs out
Social Sciences (Doctorate)
$94,389 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$90,181 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$90,181 · 5 yrs out

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